Rancho Cucamonga lost a hero on August 26, 2021. United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Dylan Merola was one of the thirteen U.S. service members killed in a terrorist attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. We are deeply saddened by his loss and express our condolences to Lance Corporal Merola’s family and friends. We grieve together as a community and pray for comfort, healing, and peace for the loved ones of all thirteen service members tragically lost.
We cannot control what happens in this world and often times the consequences are harsh and unjust. We can, however, control how we treat each other, what kind of community we create, and whether we support each other. Hopefully, we can all take some extra time to be kind to one another and recognize we are one community with a common objective of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are one neighborhood in one city living, working, laughing, crying and bonding together notwithstanding our differences.
On September 9, 2021, our business community will come together to honor our Police and Fire Departments for their daily efforts to keep us safe. We will celebrate our first responders with a luncheon and awards at Red Hill Country Club to let them know they are appreciated and loved. We hope that you can join us for this special event.
In light of the above, please make September a month of service. Thank a veteran, donate to a local charity, contribute to your local faith-based community, assist your local youth sports organization, help a neighbor, and support your neighborhood businesses. Be the person you want your son or daughter to be. We owe it to the fallen to uplift our community and the pursuit of happiness cannot be achieved alone. We need one another to be Rancho Strong.
May God Bless You,
Robert A. Hufnagel
President – Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce
