ANF Chief 2 Retires

In a warm and befitting ceremony, John Thomas, Assistant Chief of the Angeles National Forest officially retired on Saturday evening, March 13, 2010. Hundreds of firefighters and family members welcomed John at his retirement ceremony at the Antelope Valley Fair Grounds as they shared war stories of bravery and courage covering a career of 33 years. Assistant Chief John Thomas service with the United States Forest Service started in 1977 during the Marble Cone Fire in Monterey County and ended with one of Los Angeles County's largest wildfire, the Station Fire. John worked tirelessly on the Texas Canyon Hot Shot Crew in Bouquet Canyon as both a Captain and Super Intendant, Chantry Helitac Fire Crew and eventually promoted to Assistant Chief of the Angeles National Forest. John had very humble beginnings as a gas station attendant near Valleyermo in his teenage years, but he had a great work ethic. Prior to coming to the United States Forest Service, John worked in the aircraft industry, but he longed for a more exciting and challenging career. Although not receiving much pay as a GS-2 Forestry Technician and working long hours in the summer heat, John found a new career fighting wildfires. For 33 years John instilled a strong work ethic into many firefighters across Southern California. Many Chief Officers and long term firefighters testified to John's leadership abilities over the years stressing the importance of protecting lives, property and natural resources across California and many of the Western States. John will be enjoying retirement, hunting, fishing, gardening and enjoying the company of his wife and children which are all long over due. John's son has followed in his fathers foot steps and now works for the Texas Canyon Hotshots.