Placer County’s Regional Forest Health Coordinator Kerri Timmer to speak at North Tahoe Community Alliance’s First Tuesday Breakfast, April 2
Have questions about parking in Kings Beach? Replay our consultant Q&A from our March meeting
Tahoe National Forest plans to reduce wildfire risk surrounding Alpine Meadows and Olympic Valley communities
 On March 23, 1973, the population of Meadow Vista increased by one as former prisoner of war Commander Robert Schweitzer was welcomed to his new home. Commander Schweitzer, a Navy pilot who was shot down during a bombing mission in January of 1968, was held by the North Vietnamese for over five years.
Some 400 people greeted him amid sirens, firecrackers and flags. His wife bought the house in Meadow Vista in 1971, hoping the rural setting would make life easier for their two teenage sons.
According to the March 28, 1973 Auburn Journal, Schweitzer remarked, “The changes in America – things like styles and the hair-dos, including my sons’ – I had been told to expect, but if this is the new American, then I love it!”
Commander Schweitzer was freed as part of Operation Homecoming, a deal struck in 1973 between U.S. and North Vietnam officials in which nearly 600 POWs were returned to the U.S.
Like many POWs, Commander Schweitzer had difficulty adjusting to normal life. He had to stay busy. He began taking business classes at Sacramento State and rarely declined an organization’s invitation to speak.
And so it was on January 24, 1974, that he realized he was late for a speaking engagement after class and talking with friends. He drove too fast on Interstate 80 and as he approached Penryn, he lost control and crashed. He was killed instantly. He had been home for just ten months.
His ashes were scattered at sea from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ranger.
Photo: Commander Robert Schweitzer at his homecoming on March 23, 1973 (Auburn Journal Photo Collection)
 Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...
Roseville: Friday Night Flicks: The Sandlot
Lincoln: Lincoln Host Lions Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Fowler Ranch farmer’s market
Auburn: Unique Characters of Auburn
...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.
Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!
Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail
Find current state COVID-19 guidance, along with local data and resources, here.
 Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply
Current recruitments include:
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