Prescott — Hundreds packed Yavapai County Courthouse Square in Prescott Friday afternoon as flags flew at half-mast to mark the 10th anniversary of the loss of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots who died fighting the Yarnell Hill fires. rice field. On June 30, 2013, it became the deadliest wildfire in Arizona history.
Brendan McDonough, the sole survivor of the crew, was applauded by the crowd before reading a hot-shot prayer at the beginning of the ceremony.
Governor Katie Hobbs, State Forester Thomas Torres, Prescott Mayor Phil Goode, and Prescott Fire Chief Holger Dule Prescott spoke out during the event, while Ryder Ash, son of popular downturn Andrew Ashcraft No message was more poignant than Mr. Kraft’s.
At just 16 years old, Ashcraft grew up in the shadow of this tragedy, but conveyed an inspiring message of hope and optimism for the future, while reflecting thoughtfully on the past.
“I stand here as a witness that gratitude is the answer to grief,” he said.
Ashcraft, who was only six years old during the Yarnell Hill fire, recounted one of her last memories of her father coming into her room to talk to her as she lay in bed.
“Son, you are the master of the house while I am away,” his father said to him before he left for work. “Take care of your family, protect your mother, and I love you.”
Of course, Mr. Ashcraft didn’t know it at the time, but this brief conversation at the age of six would be the last time he talked to his father.
“These words will stick with me for the rest of my life and they laid the foundation for the life I live now,” he said.
With this in mind, Ashcraft urged the audience to be grateful for the blessings life has given them and to strive to be a better person at every opportunity, a spirit his father had practiced. encouraged.
Ashcraft then pointed to a bracelet hanging on his wrist. It was a gift from his father and has since become a symbol of the values he carries with him every day.
“I love my father,” he said. “My intentional determination to live a better person every day is how I remember and honor him. This symbol on my wrist is how I carry on his legacy.” And I believe he’s not done saving lives, his 18-man crew must now save lives through us.”
True to firefighting tradition, the firefighter’s bell was rung 19 times and each name read aloud, but the length again undermines the enormity of the tragedy.
The ceremony also included a presentation by the honor guard, pipe and drum performances, and a jet flight from Luke Air Force Base in Glendale.
A memorial service was also held outside Prescott. Phoenix Hall of Flame Fire Museum And the Granite Mountain fire engine is on display at the Los Angeles County Fire Museum in Bellflower, California.
Yarnell Hill Fire:WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GRANITE MOUNTAIN HOTSHOT
Here’s where to contact reporters: LLatch@gannett.com.
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