Facing, braving the heat
Dam operator receives Medal of Valor for heroism during Beachie Creek fire
February 23, 2022

Scott Swanson
Flanked by Col. Geoff Van Epps, left, commander of the Corps' Northwestern Division, and Col. Michael Helton, Commander of of the Portland District, Mike Pomeroy inspects his honor citation following the presentation.
By Scott Swanson and Sarah Brown
Of The New Era
When Mike Pomeroy's wife Ronda asked him earlier this month what he was doing on Feb. 15, he told her he had no idea.
She told him they were going to the Foster Dam for a special event, but she wasn't giving details.
"I said, 'What am I doing?' She said, 'It's none of your business,'" Pomeroy said Tuesday, Feb. 15, after he found out.
He was standing in a ceremony held in his honor, to award him a Department of the Army Civilian Medal of Valor for his heroism at Detroit Dam during the Beachie Creek fire on Sept. 8, 2020.
Pomeroy was...
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