Firefighting community says farewell to Underhill
A massive contingent of firefighting units passed through South Lake Tahoe this afternoon en route to St. Theresa Catholic Church where the services for Mitch Underhill started at 2pm. A CareFlight helicopter flew overhead, following the line of emergency vehicles along Highway 50 from Lake Valley to the church.
The 34-year-old Lake Valley firefighter died Sept. 29. The cause of death has not been released.
Underhill was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe.
Firefighters from throughout Northern California and in the Lake Tahoe Basin are part of the Oct. 20 procession. Photo/LTN
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
RIP Mitch Underhill.
But why is it necessary for the taxpayers to flip the bill for all the equipment used. A helicopter – Really! Was this regular pay or OT for the Firefighters, police, pilot, etc.
HEY BOB!!!
Seriously? Bicker about tax dollars for the staffing of emergency units to unite a fallen firefighter? First, there’s something called a budget. Tax dollars are already taken. Second, CHP H20 is staffed daily. Third and final, Mitch Underhill was a great man, a firefighter, life saver and father. He deserves every last tax dollar available. Therefor, next time you can think about writing some disrespectful comment towards Mr. Underhill. I hope you realize that when your dying and on your death bed they’ll be firefighters and emergency personnel working OT trying to help you too. Oh yeah, and those are your tax dollars;)
By all accounts Mitch was a good human being! But there’s nothing disrespectful in what Bob asks!
Having a public service for Mitch, with maybe a couple fire trucks and a police car. Understandable! But I’m not concerned about getting help if all that manpower and equipment can be spared at a single time.
Again, no disrespect to someone whom I did not know. But by all accounts he was a good person, sadly leaves behind a family, and was a dedicated fireman. Have a public service for him and take care of his family!
But good to know there’s always that much manpower and equipment to spare.
Well first of all, it wasn’t CHP H-20. It was Careflight. And Chris is right…..Mitch was a great guy and dedicated public servant. As a member of the procession and others like it, it is a show of support and solidarity for the fallen…… one who has paid the ultimate sacrifice. Most people have no idea what that means. There aren’t to many career fields that have memorials with the names of those killed in the line of duty ( in other words, for doing their job).
Oncorhynchus …..was he killed on the job fighting a fire or did he die while off duty? That would make a difference regarding the involvement of equipment and paid time to attend a funeral. I’ve attended many funerals of co-workers who died of non-job related issues and it was always unpaid.
He wasn’t killed in the line of duty. That is why it makes it an even more wasteful way to spend taxpayer money. His death is no more tragic or sad or senseless than so many others.
Really? Tahoe lost one of its own and this is how the community comes together. If anyone has complaints or comments about tax dollars, this is not the forum to be discussing it in. These comments are so insensitive to the people who loved and cared about Mitch. Take your soapbox somewhere else.
I cannot believe that some people on here are talking about tax dollars as one of Tahoe’s firefighters was celebrated is such a wonderful way. It’s not how he died, it’s what he gave to this community during his time with us. Some of you people are just sick and are so selfish, RIP Mitch and thank you.
Well, I sure hope that admin removes these insensitive comments before Mitch’s family and widow read them. My personal feelings about some of you are just confirmed. This is not the appropriate article to complain about our public safety. Save that for some other article.
We as community honor our fallen hero’s. It was not how Mitch died that made him a hero, but how he lived.
By the way, Careflight is a private company. Not tax payer owned. The vast majority of those that participated, volunteered their time and never asked for pay.
And I’m sure Parker was counting all the fire engines and police cars and will use that in his complaints about how many police and fire we have. Nearly all of those people were off duty and the vast majority were from off the hill.
Absolutely, it’s called TRADITION! And that’s what the fire service lives by……RIP MITCH
When I seen all the trucks ,It was beautiful, and sadden to,I knew what it was about ,and all I can say ,no money could ever bring him back ,RIP,
How can some people be so completely soulless, penurious and incredibly insensitive?
What a great show of solidarity and support for the family from Mitch’s fellow public servants and friends. May he rest in peace.
I think I saw a firetruck from Shasta, Eldorado Hills, and Squaw in the procession :)
C’mon Kae, the biggest difference between the walls of a public toilet and a newspaper is the editing.
Mitch was a legend, a true leader of this Tahoe Tribe. He received a hero’s goodbye and deserved every moment of it. You will not find a single person who’d known Mitch that would have issue with the way he was honored.
Bob your an insensitive moron. Where do you think the majority of those trucks came from. If Roseville or any of the other districts wants to send a truck I think that’s the ultimate sign of respect for this hero. You probably think its better to throw our serviceman over the side of a boat because holy crap those military funerals really add up. Mitch was a hero and was laid to rest in the appropriate manner.
I was driving one of the fire trucks. No we were not on overtime it was something we all wanted to do for him and his family. With all the other things tax dollars go for in this country we are going to complain about this. Maybe these folks would have thought different if they would have been part of the ceremony. Guess next we should start complaining about the cost of our fallen soldiers bodies being flown home. I am proud to say I was a friend of Mitch Underhill and I rolled the fire truck proudly to support his family. The support that was shown from community members as we drove by brought tears to my eyes. It will be a day I will remember the rest of my life. A Young man taken way to young in life. May the community stand strong around his family and show them the love that this community can show. To the folks that are whining about it, all I ask is you show some respect in your negativity and think of his two young boys. To the rest of the community thank you
fireman,
This has nothing to do with this particular circumstance it has to do with principle and the disrespect for the publics trust.
This is offensive to me…
“it was something we all wanted to do for him”
So you all took it upon your shoulders to spend other peoples money and use the “peoples” property including a helicopter to show your respect.
Such arrogance.
I for one think you should lose your job for the arrogance alone.
cj mccoy – Get a life! You are the arrogant one. To wish ill will on someone is so awful. It is unbelievable that you have no self control to just keep your evil thoughts to yourself. This is such a dishonor to a sad situation and what a GOOD person Mitch was. You should be ashamed of yourself.
CJ, wow.
I am stunned by your response. You apparently do not have family, friends or acquaintances that serve in the military, or para-military ranks (law enforcement, fire, first responders).
The very people that fight for our freedom, sacrifice for our safety, save our lives. Just think about whom you will call upon when you are in trouble. I am confident that they will show up regardless of your comments, your disrespect, your entitlement attitude.
I thank the stars everyday that I live in a small community where there are processions for missing girls (Jaycee Dugard) and young men who die too young (Mitch Underhill), line of duty or not, and parades for high school homecomings, and poker playing dogs.
Honoring Mitch, and those like him who serve the public good, is a better use of our tax dollars than half a dozen things I can name.
RIP Mitch. My condolences to the entire family.
Fireman-to even mention the cost of soldiers being returned back is ridiculous. There is no comparison between being a fireman vs. someone who has served and been in combat (the true heroes) If you have, you know what I mean.
It bothers me to know that I share this community with such selfish and rude people
Coincidentally, I just finished reading the Kyle Dickman article, in the November Outside magazine, about the 19 firefighters killed in Arizona. I, personally, lost 5 friends, all murdered, during my 30 years in law enforcement.
Anyone out in the world realizes that there are some despicable folks crawling around out there – insensitive to the tragedies of real life, and ready to try and shout down anyone who suggests that even the ignorant should try to act civilized.
It does no good to blame the ignorant for their ignorance. But, as I implied in an earlier post, I think that Lake Tahoe News has done serious damage to its credibility by permitting an article about honoring a respected and courageous fire fighter to turn into some sort of debate over whether he, or anyone else courageously serving their community, should be put to rest with honors.
I admire your efforts Kae, but is this really what you had in mind when you gave us Lake Tahoe News?
youhavegottobekiddingme,
complain to the SLTPD! They’re the ones who count or make claims about the number of cars they have patrolling the town. When I first hand see that those claims are false, I’ve pointed it out!
There is a mentality that comes thru in some of these posts that’s unfortunate! A service for Mitch that all who knew him, and worked with him could attend, is worthy of all who pass! Especially worthy of all who pass before their time! And any service should highlight his service to the LVFD!
But that even the noblest of intentions can be done without consideration of those paying the bills, the taxpayers, is troubling! So overtime wasn’t paid, and many donated their time? But then many were on duty and the community had such manpower and resources to spare?
You know the taxpayer doesn’t get a blank check to honor their loved ones, no matter how great and noble we found their time in this life!
i concur, parker.
The arrogance of the civil servants. They are special and more important than the rest of you scrubs, now pony up and pay….
People die every day but some people think they are more important than other people.
I don’t – I don’t support California government employees, over paid, over pensioned under worked… and it is at the root of California’s destruction.
Look around are things improving? New startup businesses, lots of people shopping. Lookin good huh? FYI, since everyone is doing so well we will be giving the government employees a raise.
Yup.
America was formed on the principle of equality, decades of increasingly liberal policies from a progressive and increasingly militarized government have instead caused us to become one of the most discriminatory countries, California is one of the worst states on top of that list.
What a lousy place it has turned into, surfs and rulers. Not for me.
This procession was about respect and honoring an individual whose very profession calls for placing one’s life and limb on the line every time they go to work. When the Angora Fire was starting to take off and everyone was driving to get away from it, people like Mr. Underhill were driving into it and putting their lives on the line to save the property of people they didn’t even know. If public monies can be spent for on-duty police and fire escorts for Chief Slowroller’s bicycle ride from the Y to Mo’s Place and for JoAnne Conner’s July 4th parade from the Y to the American Legion, then no one should complain about honoring this deceased fire fighter.
I agree with Shenja’s remark about sharing a community with such selfish and rude people, and with copper about the unfortunate degradation of this public forum which provides an opportunity for the respectful exchange of ideas but which some individuals have determined to make into their own private platform of venomous transmissions. There are some people who post on this site who are rude and really quite pathetic, and while most individuals would recognize to whom I’m referring, I’m fairly certain that these people don’t recognize themselves.
CJ, does your last line mean that you are leaving the country? Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. Your kind of hate and vitriol are so out of place.
I, too, agree with Shenja about the selfish and rude people in our community. Tahoe sure has changed since I first came to live here in 1975. And not for the better.
I did not know Matt Underhill but I totally approve of the firefighting community showing him respect and honoring his life.
No Mama,
It means I don’t live in California, I left a decade ago. The decline and eventual collapse of California has been predicted step by step, point by point, and people are continuing to flee. In fact according to recent research on U-Haul rates people are fleeing Northern California at an increasing rate.
I think of SLT as a poster child for California’s demise. I am also concerned with the negative impact that the government and the various quasi government agencies have had on the social, economic and environmental aspects of the community. In my opinion the government has inflicted great harm on the community and the environment of what I consider to be America’s Jewel. ( not the “local’s” jewel)
Therefor I continue to study, monitor and comment on it.
However I think a great change is at hand, tea parties are growing and a wave of awareness is occurring. I think i will be focusing on the positive aspects and potentials of the future. South Lake Tahoe will continue to decline but other areas are starting to do very well.
Soon Obama care will be postponed by the Administration. I think that event will mark an inflection point in our history.
Mitch & Jodi you brightened our lives!
Many are praying for you John, Matt, Corey, Sarah and the extended families. May your pain be turned to good.
I agree with both side. As a widow of fire fighter and a still grieving mother of a 26 year old son who died to young I share a similar experience as the family. Lets be honest people this procession was for ourselves to deal with our grief and anyone that says differently is not being honest with themselves. When my husband passed I declined a procession and followed my husband wishes of donations in lieu to his favorite cause. Did anyone think of what Mitch wanted? What really bothers me is no one is talking about what happened to him. I think that is truly a dishonor to him. I understand that the family might not want the way he died to overshadow the way he lived. The truth will heal our hearts but first we must deal with it.
“Therefor I continue to study, monitor and comment on it. ”
I have not seen you make a single comment that is based on sound logic, evidence, and free from hyperbole. Rarely do you make a statement or observation, and back it up with anything. ‘I think this because…’ Start with that.
I guess we’ll have to wait.
RIP Mitch! You were an inspiration to all who knew you. Thank you for your service to this community. You will be remembered always brother!
-the tribe
Kae, time to shut this one down. Thank you.
Why should comments be taken down because we don’t agree with them? Some of these same people tear apart other people and there is no outrage to take down the comments. Is that because when we agree with the comments, its okay that they are vicious? But when we don’t agree , “Off with their heads!” Bloggers on this site and other sites often rip apart people and even Kae herself has been shredded on some of the things she has written, but no one demands she take down those comments. Hypocrisy comes in subtle and obvious forms, and the hypocrisy is quite obvious here demanding Kae edit the comments we don’t like, but next time, it’ll be quite okay to leave up the comments trashing someone you think deserves it. Maybe the mirror is a little to glaring in seeing how terrible it is when this time, the comments that you don’t like are connected to someone who is loved and died.
Vicious comments are always the same, whether it’s about someone alive or not, or someone you like or someone you don’t, or even if it is about an idea that you agree with or one you don’t. Constructive conversation is far better approach, which seems obvious but apparently not.
FireWidow has a fair point, there are reasonable questions on both sides. The questioning of using public resources is a fair one, those questions have nothing to do with the person who died, regardless of how one feels about him or how and why he died or that he died because of his own choices. Let’s hear the explanation as to why resources are used in this manner, is it police that all public employees who die get honored for their service in this manner or is that just police and fire? Fair question and the answer should be whatever it is. Would the same parade happen if an employee who mows the lawn in our parks dies at home in the same manner? If not, why not, he too is a public employee, a job that goes often unnoticed. FireWidow is correct as well that hiding why Mitch died is a disservice to him, there may be much more to learn from why he did this, than whether the parade is a good use of tax payer funds. Debate without condemnation would be a nice chance of discourse.
Thank you Red Dog. i was beginning to feel alone in the way I felt. I was not attacking anyone. I just feel like you said there should be an explanation. And we as a community are not communicating about this terrible tradgey. My late husband a firefighter/Emt would say he wouldnt want all this hoopla that he was just doing his job. Firefighters are often overlooked when it comes to health concerns such as sudden cardiac death which happened to my husband or mental issues such as depression and suicide. If we as a community just try to comfort the family with pretty words but hide the truth with shame about what happened we are not really helping the family and giving 100% to them. Whatever happened to Mitch will never overshadow what kind of person he was. I didnt even know him except that he lived a short distance from my house and I saw the family when walking my dogs. It has affected me too in a heart wrenching way that most cant understand.Our firefighter are deseving of our respect and love but why dony we show them while they are alive too.
I find it interesting how everyone comes up with a the conclusion that I am a public servant. I am what they call a volunteer fireman. I have a real job that is not with a public agency. I donate 20 hours a week to helping other in my community. I do not live in Tahoe but grew up there. There are way more volunteers than paid staff across the country. Mitch was a volunteer for many years and also was a volunteer with search and rescue. The things you see and deal with a fireman these days is something only a few in this life could deal with. So I understand everyones comments and take no offence in everyones opinion. I just ask that you all think about the child that these folks have had to help in a horrid car crash. If it was your child they would be your hero. I never intended to cause any disrespect to any comments on here.
I think that the discussion about appropriate uses of public resources is a good one, but there are many instances when public and private functions intersect. For example, have you seen a law enforcement presence at private construction sites or at movie production details? How about police motor officers leading funeral processions? Sometimes these services are paid for by the private concerns, sometimes not. One of the commenters mentioned Chief Slow Roller’s parade? What about those in law enforcement who escort motorcycle riders groups who are raising funds for organizations like “Toys ForTots”?
I seem to remember an article about the recent untimely death of a local, much loved school bus driver which was reported on this site. Many of the decedent’s bus driving colleagues held a procession of school busses in his honor. I don’t recall seeing similar snarky comments about inappropriate use of public resources at that time.
Proper use of public funds should always be open for public debate, but name calling, profession bashing and general lack of civility does not promote constructive discourse.
Making unilateral decisions to use the publics money is not only bad for discourse it should hold criminal penalties, FYI – it’s stealing.
CJ, don’t disagree with your point, but where does it state, either in the column or in the comments, that the decision to participate in this procession was made unilaterally by anyone or any agency? I sincerely doubt that any agency authorized the use of their vehicles by an employee withou that person running the request up the chain of command for approval. Perhaps I am naive . . .
This is so tragic. My thoughts and prayers go to his wife and family. I was born a Tahoe native, went through school with Mitch; we graduated the same year, share the same interests and friends. I cannot believe he is gone. The pain is felt no matter how far away we live; death can send shockwaves and that wave was felt in Costa Rica today. RIP Mitchell.
And…shame on everyone for turning this into an trivial argument about money.