ALTADENA, Calif. — A longtime U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employee lost his Altadena home in January when the Eaton Fire swept through the area, destroying thousands of structures in its path.
Darius Wallace, a 43-year veteran of the USACE Los Angeles District, returned to the property recently, joined by leaders from both USACE’s Southern California Wildfires Debris Recovery Mission – Task Force Phoenix and the LA District, who came to show their solidarity.
The visit became a moment of reflection and unity, as colleagues stood with Wallace amid the charred remains of his home.
“It’s a little hard because it brings back memories of the house and what I used to see in the house,” Wallace said. “Now I’m looking through the debris and the rubble — what remains of the house.”
Among the hardest losses, he said, were irreplaceable personal items: family and military photos, and keepsakes from his years coaching youth baseball, football and basketball. These included photos, newspaper clippings and detailed records with scores, stats and player information — some of which documented the early careers of athletes, who would go on to play professionally.
“But now, all that’s gone,” he said.
Waiting at the site were Brig. Gen. William Hannan Jr., commander of Task Force Phoenix; Col. Andrew Baker, LA District commander; Lt. Col. Stephen Brooks, LA District deputy commander; and Col. Sonny Avichal, commander of USACE’s Emergency Field Office - Eaton. They were joined by fellow USACE teammates and contractors, all there to offer assistance.
“It’s important for us to be there to show empathy,” Brooks said. “We have to show up not only today, but we have to continue to follow up and provide assistance going forward.”
For Wallace, the outpouring of compassion was more than he expected.
“Oh, that was great — 100 percent,” he said. “I didn’t imagine something like this. I thought maybe it would be a few people, but then I saw the whole crew here. I’m just very appreciative. I’m just very grateful.”
While the wildfire claimed a lifetime of memories, the USACE community’s presence underscored a deeper message: No team member faces loss alone. Wallace’s experience also highlights USACE’s critical role, not just in rebuilding communities after disasters, but in offering unwavering support to its own members through the toughest times.