Lolita HarperIt was early Wednesday morning and...

Lolita Harper

It was early Wednesday morning and an alarm went off in Kirk

Dominic’s head.

As a captain at the Costa Mesa Fire Department, distress signals

are common, but this was the kind that could not be doused with a

hose.

It was then that Dominic received his orders from the Army

Reserve. He was instructed to report on April 21 for 365 days of

service -- or more.

“I had the feeling it was coming,” Dominic said during a surprise

going away party held in his honor at Fire Station No. 5 on Thursday.

“Two months ago, they called me up for service, but it got canceled.”

Dominic, “a local boy” and graduate of Costa Mesa High School,

will leave his wife, three children and home in Fountain Valley in

less than two weeks. He and his wife are still wrestling with the

reality and have not told the children yet. Dominic said he wants to

wait until after their spring break so he can spend some quality time

with them without the looming cloud of military service.

“That’s going to be the toughest part,” he said. “Leaving my

family.”

For the members of Costa Mesa Fire, the toughest part will be

losing a highly respected member of their team. About a dozen

firefighters gathered for an impromptu goodbye party on Thursday

afternoon, where they shared cake, cookies and stories about Dominic.

“He will be sorely missed in many ways,” Costa Mesa Fire Chief Jim

Ellis said.

Ellis said he understands Dominic’s loyalty to the country. He

took an oath to the city of Costa Mesa to serve here, but he also

pledged his allegiance to the Army and is now being asked to carry

out that oath.

Although he is publicly associated with the proud firefighter

uniform and all the bravery the service position entails, Dominic is

also renowned in the firehouse as an expert baker. The men lovingly

call him “Grandma Dominic” because of all the cookies and treats he

brings in.

“I love to bake,” Dominic said. “It helps me relax, and the kids

like it.”

He doesn’t mind the playful chides at his passionate pastime. He

is proud of his delectable diversion. His sugar-free cookie entry,

designed for diabetics, won him a first-place ribbon at the Orange

County Fair -- an accolade he tells with a proud smile.

His role in the Army will be far different.

Dominic has been a member of the armed forces since 1984 and, as a

major, is specialized in mobilization, training and operation.

Since the beginning of the war, Dominic has known his time as a

civilian was limited. At least now he can stop worrying, he said.

“It’s a relief,” he said. “It’s here, and we can deal with it and

get back to where we left off.”

Costa Mesa Fire Engineer Dan Mudra said he can’t wait for his

colleague to return.

“I feel sorry for him, yet I think it is an honor to have him be

part of us and have him go do what he’s got to do for the country,”

Mudra said.

If his work around the firehouse is any indication, Dominic will

be a valuable asset to the Army, his colleagues said. They said their

farewells to Dominic Thursday, but knew they would see again him

soon.

“It’ll go by quick,” a firefighter told him while shaking his

hand.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at [email protected].