After an out-pouring of interest from the community the office of councilman Greg Smith worked with them to build a memorial for the victims and those who were at the scene lending a hand.
“People are very moved by the accident,” said office spokesman Matt Meyerhoff.
“It’s important to have a lasting physical marker where people can go to on the anniversary and reflect…and also to remember the way it brought the community together, hundreds and hundreds of emergency response workers worked together like clockwork.”
Johnny Ramirez, who is finishing up his Masters on Chicana/o studies, used to be a mentor to Aida Magdaleno, a CSUN student who died in the crash.
“By commending them we honor what they shared with us and how they touched our lives,” Ramirez said.
“The hardest thing for me was that I knew I had the chance to meet a young leader who was finding her voice and on her way to doing something powerful in the community and campus.”
Magdaleno would encourage Ramirez to pursue his education so that he could be a mentor to others just like he was to her. He’s currently the program manager for the Pico Youth & Family Center.
The memorial overlooks the accident site and will include a fountain. In honor of the 25 people who died on Sept. 12, 2009 people will place 25 roses in the fountain.
The commemoration, taking place this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Stoney Point Park, will include a color guard, speakers and the unveiling of the memorial at the end.
Victims of the Chatsworth Metrolink Accident
Sept. 12, 2008
Christopher Aiken, 38
Dennis Arnold, 75
Dean Brower, 51
Alan Buckley, 59
Yi Chao, 71
Spree DeSha, 35
Walter A. Fuller, 54
Ronald G. Grace, 55
Michael Hammersley, 45
Jacob Hefter, 18
Kari Hsieh, 18
Ernest “Pete” Kish, 47
Gregory Lintner, 48
Paul Long, 54
Manuel Macias, 31
Aida Magdaleno, 19
CSUN sociology student
Beverly Mosley, 57
Charles Peck, 49
Howard Pompel, 69
Donna Lynn Remata, 49
Robert Martin Sanchez, 46
Doyle Jay Souser, 56
Roger Spacey, 60
Maria Elena Villalobos, 18
Atul Vyas, 20
Source: Los Angeles Times
