Thank you, DU.

[Wait Wut]

I normally don't announce where I live, but today I need to. I need to tell you what a beautiful place DU is.

I live in Prescott, Arizona. Home of the Hot Shot crew that was lost in Yarnell yesterday.

I wish I could share your thoughts and prayers with the entire city, with the families and friends of the crew. So many of you live so far away, and we can all agree that Arizona has it's share of difficulties. Prescott is one of, if not the, reddest part of Arizona. And, yet, you're love and compassion is offered.

I needed you so much this morning. I'm at work, in tears. The entire town is in shock. If you live here, there's a good chance you know one of them or know someone from their family.

Thank you for being here.

------------------------------

2nd Edit: Names posted

NAMES OF THE 19 HEROES

Ashcraft, Andrew - Age: 29
Caldwell, Robert - Age: 23
Carter, Travis - Age: 31
Deford, Dustin - Age: 24
MacKenzie, Christopher - Age: 30
Marsh, Eric - Age: 43
McKee, Grant - Age: 21
Misner, Sean - Age: 26
Norris, Scott - Age: 28
Parker, Wade - Age: 22
Percin, John - Age: 24
Rose, Anthony - Age: 23
Steed, Jesse - Age: 36
Thurston, Joe - Age: 32
Turbyfill, Travis - Age: 27
Warneke, William - Age: 25
Whitted, Clayton - Age: 28
Woyjeck, Kevin - Age: 21
Zuppiger, Garret - Age: 27

------------------------------------------

Edit: My husband just posted this poem that a friend of his wrote.

I SAW YOU UP THE MOUNTAIN
by Gordon Campbell

I saw you up the mountain,
Walking through the haze,
In sooted turnouts dusty yellow,
Cast dark against the blaze.
I’m sure I did. You can’t be missed!
You are someone I know.
One I’ll never fail to see,
Where ever I must go.

It was where I fought beside you,
And then cried as you were lost.
Right there beside the memory,
Of what our fight has cost.
I know that’s where I saw you,
And it’s where I see you still,
All double-time and courage,
As we charge another hill.

I saw you at the base camp
With your cup, and yes, a joke,
And the rasping of your laughter,
Meant to wash away the smoke.
You were with me in the chow line
At the table saying grace
And I prayed like anything
“Just once, Lord, let me see that face.”

I saw you up the mountain,
And I’ll see you there again,
And in every place they send me,
Where the fire is, and then,
I’ll watch the plume rise upward,
As it lilts from star to star
Outward past heaven’s wild lands,
To where you really are.

This poem dedicated to the memory of all those heroes lost while fighting America's wild fires.

[Arctic Dave]

1. Condolences to all the families and your town.

[Botany]

2. I wish you and your town well

But sadly I can't find the words that will take away the pain you
and your family must be feeling.

[Granny M]

24. I am so sorry for this terrible loss.

My prayers go out to your community.

[Shrike47]

3. It's a tragedy and we grieve for the loss.

[Skidmore]

4. Hoping that the flames die and the pain in your hearts

is soothed as well.

[calimary]

5. So sorry to hear this.

Prescott AZ is where the Bead Museum is - or used to be, at least? Is it still there?

Much love and sympathy to you - and the whole community. Smaller towns always feel this kind of thing harder - BECAUSE it's so much more likely that the victims are known to many locals. A small town is kinda like a really large family. So sorry you folks are carrying this sorrowful burden now. This is supposed to be a general week of celebration, what with the 4th of July and all. But I know that'll be the last thing you feel like doing. I'm so sorry.

Yes DU is here. DUers are here. Neat thing about this is that - regardless of the time of day or night, SOMEBODY's always up. I remember when my mom died in the middle of the evening, I wound up posting a brief note about it during the wee hours. I was AMAZED at how fast posts came, and how soon there were a hundred or more. It buoyed me up and made me feel as though many shoulders were there for me to lean on.

It's a good thing that you posted this. You will find you are surrounded by support and sympathy. It's one of the really lovely things about this place, regardless how we fight and argue and philosophically chew each other up sometimes. DU will buoy you up.





On edit - I mean, just look. When I started this post, you'd just written your OP and I thought I'd be first. In just that short span of time there were already four people in line ahead of me.

[likesmountains 52]

6. My dad lived there for about 20 years, it's a second home to me.

it is just beyond heartbreaking. I'm so sorry WW.

[monmouth3]

7. My heart goes out to all of you. A very sad time...n/t

[Triana]

8. Red or Blue - Heroes don't come in colors

These guys risked their lives every day to save others (no matter who they were) and ended up paying the ultimate price.

My heart goes out to their families and you and your community.

[bunnies]

28. ^^ this ^^

Well said.

[Whisp]

9. I can't imagine the grief you and your town are feeling. I'm so sorry.

So many young, beautiful lives destroyed.

[hootinholler]

10. That had to be some wicked shit

To turn up on a Hotshot Crew like that. I'm sure conditions will be studied for a long time.

My heart goes out to the entire community!

[redwitch]

11. Lovely poem.

Such an awful loss for your community! I cannot comprehend the courage of these wonderful men to do what they do.

[IdaBriggs]

12. Condolences. Thank you for sharing the poem - I've put it on Facebook.

Hope that is okay.

[Wait Wut]

29. Yes, it's okay.

Thank you.

[abq e streeter]

13. All of America grieves with you.

I live in NM and have more than once been through Prescott and Yarnell. . The bravery and sacrifice of these young man will obviously never be forgotten by the people of Arizona, but also by the people of the whole country. These young men are heroes, and every single firefighter everywhere is a hero.

[redwitch]

14. I have been listening to Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" lately.

You gave your love to see in fields of red and autumn brown
You gave your love to me and lay your young body down
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need you near but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love


from "Into the Fire"

Written for the brave souls who lost their lives in the Twin Towers on 9/11.

[malaise]

15. Deepest sympathy

[840high]

16. Condolences.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. I am in western AZ on vacation.

We are amazed by the heat and the dangerously dry conditions.

So sad about the brave firefighters.

[nirvana555]

21. My thoughts are with all of you in AZ during this horrible time. n/t

[ismnotwasm]

18. ...

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. You stay safe

Last edited Mon Jul 1, 2013, 02:02 PM - Edit history (1)

As to the hotshots.

Back at quarters, 10-19...they just answered their last call.

RIP

[HelenWheels]

20. I was shocked and dismayed

when I heard about the deaths of the fire fighters. Such a tragedy is hard to comprehend. Please accept my sympathy.

[Hekate]

22. That beautiful poem should be set to music. I'm so sorry for your loss

Even the coast of So Cal is fire country, so we know, we know.

Remember Tom Paxton's tribute to the firefighters going into the Twin Towers? It's called The Bravest.

How do they do it? I'll never know.

[Arugula Latte]

23. Sending condolences to Arizona for the horrible loss of lives.

[locks]

25. We care with you

We in Colorado know so well the sorrow the fires bring. We are so thankful that first responders and all the caring people fighting the the fires have saved so many lives. But we are so very sorry for our neighbors and the families of those gallant firefighters who were doing the hard work we see them doing every day. Blessings and comfort to them.

[ashling]

26. Beautiful poem

[classof56]

27. This is a tragedy beyond belief

I live near Prineville, OR where in 1994 nine of their Hot Shot Crew members were killed in the Colorado Storm King Fire, along with five others for a total of 14 firefighters. I clearly recall that day, and the pain still lingers. I'm so terribly sorry for the 19 lost in Yarnell, and share the grief that goes with such a loss.

The poem is beautiful. I'd like to share it with a friend who has family in that area, if you are okay with that.

Blessings and compassion.

[Wait Wut]

30. Yes, you may share it.

Thank you. Several people have mentioned the Storm King fire today. The memories are all still fresh in their minds.

[classof56]

31. I thank you most sincerely.

Be well.

[felix_numinous]

32. K&R

I was considering a move there recently. Condolences

[Cleita]

33. I am really sorry for your losses of those brave fire fighters.

I have been in Prescott. It's a lovely part of Arizona. I also lived in the forested regions of Idaho and had the privilege of meeting many of those brave and selfless fire fighters personally. It makes me remember that there are so many good, unselfish Americans around in spite of the ones who seem to want to destroy every thing around them for personal profit.

My condolences to your community and the families of the dead fire fighters.

[LaydeeBug]

34. This is beautiful. I'm posting it. nt

[Sissyk]

35. Condolences to your town and all the

friends and family of the fallen Firemen.

That is a beautiful poem.

[timdog44]

36. Dear Wait Wut

My sincerest condolences. True heroes. But that is not what they want to be known as. They want to be remembered for being fathers and mothers and sons and daughters. They want to be known as friends and helpers. God bless them.

I live in Wilmington, Illinois. Just south of Midewin Tallgrass National Prairie. It is here that hot shots are trained. I see them all the time coming to town to do their whatevers, and I see them all the time training at Midewin. Hard working people who end up putting themselves in danger for you and I. I have a cousin who used to fight fires for the National Forest Service. And he recounted how difficult the training and the work was, and how engaged they were in doing this for us. Again, God bless them.

[CrispyQ]

37. Condolences.

[wryter2000]

38. Thank you for that lovely poem

Our hearts and prayers are with them, their families, and with you.

[myrna minx]

39. My heart goes out to you, your family and your community.

[lamp_shade]

40. .....

[Ptah]

41. Kick for the names you added

[Mnemosyne]

42. So heart-breakingly tragic. nt

[blue neen]

43. What a horrible tragedy.

It's beyond comprehension.

The poem is beautiful and touching.

So sorry....

[UtahLib]

44. I Saw You Up The Mountain

is such a lovely tribute to all the brave and selfless men and women in our communities. My heart is with you.

[Cha]

45. Thank you, Wait Wut

[William769]

46. ...

[mountain grammy]

47. The families are our thoughts.. sending love and condolences to Prescott.

[TexasTowelie]

48. K&R.

What a tragic loss. Healing vibes to the community.

[hrmjustin]

49. I was so sorry to hear of the loss of these firefighters.

May they rest in peace.

[ChazII]

50. From one Arizonan to another

Yes, AZ has it's red parts but we all come together in times of tragedy.

[Just Saying]

51. I'm so sorry

K&r

[Kurovski]

52. .

[Anymouse]

53. I would bet . . .

. . . that none of those men, entering the fire zone, had thoughts of anything but to do their jobs as they'd been trained to do. The goal was worth the risk, even unto their own lives; that is why they donned the uniform - the danger they faced was for the community good.

Whether paid or volunteers, firefighters have one of the most dangerous jobs around, and these men giving their all are an inspiration to the rest of us.

They and their families and friends deserve our thoughts and support.

[sarge43]

54. Thank you for posting their names.

At these times politics don't matter.

The flags at our local fire station are at half staff. We mourn with you.

[ET Awful]

55. I grew up just the other side of Mingus Mountain from you.

The majority of my childhood was spent in Cottonwood and the surrounding area.

I feel your pain.

[annabanana]

56. "I wish I could share your thoughts and prayers with the entire city"

Maybe you can. When you feel the time is right.

Some things transcend politics.

[snort]

57. I grew up in Prescott

and after 53 years, I'm still around. If you are going to be stuck in AZ it's a pretty good choice.

Wait Wut, I don't know what your experience is but I definitely do not see Prescott as being the reddest part of Arizona. Hell it couldn't be, I'm here.

I would also like to thank you DU'ers for your kind thoughts.

[MissDeeds]

58. My heart goes out to your city

and the families and friends of these true heroes. The loss is immense. I hope you all take some measure of comfort in the knowledge that you're in the thoughts and prayers of millions.

[sabrina 1]

59. Beautiful tribute!