Costco Heroes

Maria and I regularly hit the Costco on Los Feliz Blvd. for items... and, of course, free samples. It's still odd to think that last week's terrible train wreck happened right outside the big box store's doors. The L.A. Times visits the store, where employees are still dealing with the aftermath:

Images of the wreck, which killed 11 people and injured about 180, still haunt some of those employees who were at the Los Feliz Boulevard store before dawn Wednesday. Some won't talk about it, even to their managers. Others can't stop thinking about it, even with company-sponsored counseling.

A ceremony is scheduled at the store Wednesday to honor employees for their bravery and compassion, store officials said...

Just after 6 a.m. Wednesday, as a dozen Costco employees unloaded crates and recorded inventory, the ground began to shake. They heard metal ripping, then a thundering crash.

Minutes later, the Costco early shift crew ran a few hundred yards toward the wreckage, carrying fire extinguishers taken off the store's shelves.

Firefighters and other trained rescue workers arrived within about 15 minutes. But the Costco staff kept working.

More than 120 other Costco employees pitched in throughout the day. They brought muffins, coffee and water to rescue crews. They built canopies with tarps. They wheeled the injured on flat carts. They cooked 350 pizzas and 350 hot dogs for workers. They guided victims and rescuers to restrooms. They found shoes, pants and shirts for victims with ripped and bloody clothes.

The cost of food and supplies came to $10,000 for Costco, but money was not an issue, said manager Dennis Davenport, who helped organize his employees that day.