On June 21, the California Men’s Colony (CMC) held its third Memorial Wall ceremony within the East Facility Administration Building.
Attending the ceremony were friends and family of former prison staff who have passed away in recent years. The honor guard read 51 names of those being added to the memorial wall.
The family of seven of those being honored were given the opportunity to personally place the nameplate of their loved one on the memorial wall as the name was read aloud.
The 51 nameplates had gold ribbons attached, allowing attendees to easily locate them.
In 2018, the memorial wall was created, dedicated to former CMC staff who have passed away. “The wall,” as it is commonly referred to, was the brainchild of former Correctional Counselor Corey Tomasini.
The wall was inspired by an in-service training discussion. That’s when Tomasini realized how many staff passed away and were essentially forgotten.
“May We Never Forget” are the words engraved on a plaque and placed in the center of the memorial wall.
Following the ceremony, Kaly Tomasini, the daughter of Corey Tomasini, expressed gratitude to CMC’s staff.
“Thank you so much,” she said. “You all did an absolutely wonderful job and we are so grateful to have my dad’s memory honored.”
Corey Tomasini unexpectedly passed away in May 2021. His nameplate on the CMC Memorial Wall will ensure his legacy will never be forgotten.
See the original 2020 story on the wall project.
By Lieutenant John Hill
Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.