After an outpouring of anger from firefighters and the citizens they serve, Palo Alto city officials have apologized for the insult leveled at the memories of two fallen Contra Costa County firefighters. In a letter to California Professional Firefighters President Lou Paulson, Palo Alto Fire Chief Nicolas Marinaro offered personal apologies for "the controversy and consternation" surrounding City Manager Frank Benest's refusal to honor the sacrifices of firefighters Matt Burton and Scott Desmond. Benest refused to permit Palo Alto fire station flags to be lowered for the two because, in his words, "you can't lower the flags willy-nilly." Benest -- while saying he "doesn't recall" making the widely-quoted statement, has also offered an apology.