Afghanistan Vets Ron Borba and Ben Molitor Receive a Warm Welcome Home

  • Tom Lavagnino, Public Affairs Officer, Klamath National Forest
Several people gathered around a driveway in front of a building.

Ron Borba (blue tee-shirt) and Ben Molitor (gray sweatshirt) meet with well-wishers at the Salmon-Scott River Ranger District Office in Fort Jones, CA on December 14, 2011.

On December 14, 2011, Afghanistan War veterans Ron Borba and Ben Molitor arrived home from their recent deployment to a warm welcome from the employees of the Klamath National Forest. Ron and Ben were deployed to Afghanistan for the past 11 months with the California National Guard working as engineers.

On their way home after landing in Sacramento, their vehicles were greeted by well-wishers holding signs along the route to Fort Jones. There were signs and friends on the I-5 overpass in Mt. Shasta and fellow Klamath National Forest Employees with signs and banners waiting for them in Yreka, along Highway 3.

The Fort Jones Lions Club put up American flags along their route on Main Street to celebrate their safe return.

Ron works on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District and will resume his job working as an Engine Captain on Engine 25 after some well-deserved holiday time off with his family. Ben works on the Goosenest Ranger District as an Engine Captain on Engine on 76 and also plans to return to work after the holidays.

Both are looking forward to continuing their fire-fighting careers with the USDA Forest Service.