Posted on 07/09/2013 10:40:25 AM PDT by CedarDave
Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a memorial service for 19 "Hot Shot" firefighters killed battling the Yarnell Hill wildfire in Prescott, Arizona. The memorial takes place at the Tim's Toyota Center Arena in Prescott Valley.
This is so much more than just a memorial service - it's honoring 19 young men who lived their dream of serving their fellow citizens. They are mostly in their 20's with about a dozen fatherless children under the age of six. Several wives are expecting children within the next several months.
The 6,000 seats inside the arena are filled with family, invited friends and firefighters from Arizona, other states and other countries.
True, not too bad. Could be a little shorter though - droning on.
In addition to the families and relatives, Joe’s speaking to an audience of firefighters in the arena and to thousands of them outside who could not attend inside.
Sustained applause for Brendan (whose name was just mentioned).
Every speaker has quoted Bible verses - it is truly comforting to them.
‘s obvious that there was an effort to give the memorial a secular twist. But then men of faith showed up and stood up to speak in terms of Scripture that permeated the lives of these fallen firefighters. The Spirit of the Lord floated over that memorial I don’t think anyone can dispute that.
Dan Bates recalls on the Thompson Ridge fire in New Mexico in June, Brendan McDonough accepted the Lord Jesus as his savior. By chance or divine providence he is the only survivor.
So thankful that everyone is talking about faith. Very moving how he is addressing the survivor “Go has a plan for you”...
Thanks for the links.
Sure as hell did... I am watching, but had to get up and leave the room about 10 minutes into his...
The survivor’s hotshot prayer was just too much bless that kid.
Very well done, an excellent, well presented memorial.
It was very well done. Very. Brendan looks like a lost soul right now. We all need to pray him through this. What courage it took for him to read that prayer.
The whole thing was lovely. And Joe was a much better representative than Obama would have been -— thank goodness there was nothing to be gained politically by his attendance or he would have (must get something snarky in)...
I want to find the right memorial fund to donate — one that goes right into the pockets of the widows...
See my “Donate” link above - the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona sponsored the webpage and suggest those listed.
The C-span link at the top of the thread has an archived link for those that may have missed the live event.
Where to donate to the families of the fallen firefighters and needy families in Yarnell
It was very well done. Very. Brendan looks like a lost soul right now. We all need to pray him through this. What courage it took for him to read that prayer.
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I agree with you. I watched the whole memorial and was very moved by it. I can not imagine the pain and suffering Brendan is in. As well as all the loved ones.
We have a nephew who is a Prescott firefighter. He was in attendance.
Here is his short reading of the "Hot Shot Prayer."
Sole surviving firefighter: "I miss my brothers"
Sierra Vista, Fry Fire, and Palominas sent a truck and 13 firefighters to fill in...
Thank you, Dave.
I was able to watch live on a local station. They provided commentary an hour before memorial began. They all were OUR boys it seems.
bttt
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