California news

May 26, 2025

La Quinta Post Office Dedication

Post Office building dedicated in honor of Corporal Hunter Lopez

La Quinta Post Office

What:

A dedication ceremony to be held at the La Quinta Post Office

Who:

Speakers:
Representative Dr. Raul Ruiz
Acting Manager, Post Office Operations Oscar Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Service
La Qunita Mayor Linda Evans
Herman and Alicia Lopez, Cpl. Lopez’ parents

When:

Wednesday, May 28, 2025
10:30 a.m.

Where:

La Quinta Post Office
79125 Corporate Centre Drive,
La Quinta, CA 92253

Background:

On December 29, 2022, legislation to designate the Post Office building located at 79125 Corporate Centre Drive in La Quinta, California, as the “Corporal Hunter Lopez Memorial Post Office Building” was signed into law by the President. This legislation was introduced in the U.S. House by Representative Raul Ruiz.

Corporal Hunter Lopez was born in Palm Springs and raised in Indio, California. His parents, Herman and Alicia Lopez, both served in law enforcement. Hunter graduated from La Quinta High School in 2017 and was a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Explorer Scout from 2014 to 2017 before joining the Marine Corps.

Cpl. Lopez was a member of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Golf Company, 1st Platoon, 3rd squad serving in Afghanistan. His compassion and commitment to helping others was evident during his service, as shown in one example with a story of how he carried a lost boy for miles to safety.

On August 26, 2021, Hunter lost his life in a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Just prior to the bombing, he saved two young girls from the pressing, chaotic crowds. His heroic actions earned him posthumous recognition, including the Purple Heart, among other meritorious awards, alongside the other service members who perished in the same attack.

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U.S. Postal Service Celebrates 250 Years

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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