605 interchange dedicated to fallen Army ranger

LOS ALAMITOS — California state senator Bob Archuleta and the Honoring Our Fallen non-profit organization helped dedicate a 605 Freeway interchange near Katella Avenue to fallen army ranger Sergeant Tomas R. MacPherson on Oct. 12.

The ceremony was held nine years to the day of MacPherson’s death at his alma mater, Los Alamitos High School.

Sergeant MacPherson was killed during a firefight with enemy forces in Afghanistan and was assigned leader of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal during his service, and the Purple Heart after he died.

The 26-year-old sergeant left behind his wife, Claudia, and son, Braden Thomas.

His mother, Diddy MacPherson, described her son as a great kid who marched to the beat of his own drum. She recalls being surprised when her son said he was going to be an Army ranger after high school.

“I was able to keep him for 26 years. I thank God for having kept him for 26 years because I could see this crazy kid grow up to be a wonderful young man,” Diddy said. “He got married, had children, and became respected at work. Of course, 50 years would have been good, but there was a lot in what I got. I am so blessed. “

As chairman for the military and veterans affairs committee for California, Archuleta helped speed along the process for designating the intersection. During his time in the armed forces he also served in the 82nd airborne, and has two sons in the military serving as paratroopers.

“The greatest honor you can bestow upon a family is to acknowledge their loss, and to acknowledge the service of that individual,” said Archuleta. “When you see someone in uniform, go up to them and say ‘thank you.’”

Archuleta plans to run for re-election in the 32nd state senate district on Nov. 8, 2022.

The sign dedicating the 605 intersection near Katella Avenue to Sergeant MacPherson will be up by February 2022.