Indio Honors Hometown Hero In Memory Of One Lost

INDIO, CA — During Wednesday night's Indio City Council meeting, U.S. Army Veteran Ralph Duarte was celebrated for his work in the local veteran community in observance of “Hunter Lopez Day."

"Former Army Ranger Ralph Duarte is an inspiration to me, the Council and many others for his unending desire to aid his fellow veterans. He is a great model of the spirit of Hunter’s mission," Indio Mayor Oscar Ortiz said ahead of the meeting.

Sadly, on August 26, 2021, the Coachella Valley mourned the loss of Indio's U.S. Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez, who was killed by a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, alongside 12 other U.S. service members. To commemorate the 22-year-old's impact on the region, the city of Indio designated August 26th as "Hunter Lopez Day."

The city continues to express gratitude for Lopez's sacrifice by presenting a proclamation to a current or former Armed Forces member each year.

This year, it was Duarte. He served with the 3rd Ranger Battalion from 2004 to 2008 and completed two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Since 2013, he's served as senior veterans representative for the County of Riverside Veterans Services and has done "incredible work" over the last 10 years, according to the city.

Duarte's accreditations include the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, California Department of Veterans Affairs, American Legion, Military Order of Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, The Retired Enlistment Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also named 56th Assembly District 2016 Veteran of The Year.

Duarte could not attend Wednesday's meeting due to his graduation ceremony where he was being awarded a master’s degree. U.S. Marine Corps veteran Keanu Stoneburner, another veterans' services representative for the county, accepted the proclamation on his colleague’s behalf.

Riverside County Sheriff's Capt. Herman Lopez and his wife, Deputy Alicia Lopez, were at Wednesday's meeting. They thanked the community for keeping their son's memory alive.

Following Hunter's death, there was an outpouring of support for his family, including financial. With that money, the Lopez's established the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation, which raises funds for student scholarships, reunions of military personnel with their loved ones, and other noble causes that carry on their son's legacy. Those interested in donating can visit https://hunterlopezmemorialfoundation.org/.