Prescott holds vigil for hotshot crew lost to Yarnell Fire
Jul 3, 2013, 2:38 PM | Updated: 2:39 pm
PRESCOTT, Ariz. — The city of Prescott came together Tuesday night to hold a vigil at Prescott High School to pay their respects to the 19 firefighters who died in action earlier in the week.
Approximately 5,000 people attended and sat in the stands at the football field. Many of the firefighters who died went to the school.
The names of the firefighters were read at sunset and after each name the crowd cheered. Nineteen purple balloons were released to honor the firefighters.
Fred Nelson found words hard to come by.
“My heart is just breaking. We cannot do enough for these families,” he said.
Phil Whitehead echoed that sentiment.
“I was in law enforcement and military service and we’re all brothers. You stand up for each other.”
The families of the fallen firefighters attended the ceremony, as did Brendan McDonough, the lone survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew.
For volunteer, fundraising and other ways to assist those affected by the Yarnell Hill Fire, go to yarnellfallenfirefighters.com.
