Corporal Hunter Lopez’s service, sacrifice honored in La Quinta post office dedication

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) - A United States Postal Service Office in La Quinta has a new important meaning. City officials joined fallen Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez's family members to dedicate the USPS building in his name Wednesday afternoon.

It was an emotional ceremony for family members, but one they say was more than deserved as they look to carry on Hunter's legacy.

"Our mission from early on was that Hunter's name remained in the community and for everybody to always remember him," Herman Lopez, Hunter's father said. "Whether we're around or well beyond our lives."

Lopez, a Coachella Valley native, was one of 13 service members killed in the 2021 attack at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. His parents say he was continuously dedicated to his duty and service.

"He always wanted to make sure that he was there for his Marines and never let them down," Herman said. "And I remember getting text messages from Hunter in those days during the evacuation that he was just going to do anything he could to help Americans get back home."

The USPS office at 79125 Corporate Center Drive will now be recognized as the new Corporal Hunter Lopez Memorial Post Office Building. His parents said the post office is a fitting place for his memorial as he loved to get packages.

His mother, Alicia Lopez, recalls him asking her to order items for him while he was overseas. A fond memory that carried on even after his death.

"Even after his passing, we received his last package that he had purchased when he was overseas," Alicia said. "It was an Amazon package, but nonetheless, we would get them at the post office."

News Channel 3's Kendall Flynn spoke with Hunter's parents, Herman and Alicia Lopez and Congressman Raul Ruiz on the importance of this dedication.