Las Vegas Sun

April 23, 2024

Letter to the editor:

Heroes from MGM’s fire aren’t forgotten

For many of us who lived in Las Vegas in 1980, the sight of the Monte Carlo fire on Friday brought back memories of the MGM fire on Nov. 21, 1980.

On the front page of the Monte Carlo fire coverage in the Las Vegas Sun on Saturday was a small black and white picture of a man in a cherry picker rescuing people from the balconies of the MGM (pictured above). That man is my late husband, Jerry Hoskin, who was just one of the many courageous members of Ironworkers Local 433 whose rescue efforts saved untold lives that horrific day.

Former Ironworkers Local 433 business agent Fred Toomey and I spoke at length Saturday about that valiant rescue effort, about how proud he is of his men and the pride I feel as a member of the Local 433 family.

A most heartfelt thank you to all those members of Local 433 who assisted in that rescue and recovery effort.

Like countless others in Las Vegas, I have not forgotten.

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