Under escort by the Joint Arizona Honor Guard, the fallen Granite Mountain hotshot firefighters were transported by 19 hearses, each accompanied by motorcycle escorts from various fire and law enforcement agencies from Phoenix to Prescott on Sunday.
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Hundreds of Arizonans lined the route home holding flags and purple balloons to honor the 19 fallen heroes. Signs along the way read; “God Bless Our Firefighters,” “They will never be forgotten,” and “Thank you. We love you.”
Within each hearse, an honor guard member accompanied each fallen firefighter. A flag also accompanied each fallen firefighter. Honors were presented as the fallen firefighters were taken from the medical examiner’s office to the waiting vehicles.
Flags of the United States, the State of Arizona, and local fire departments lined the path to the hearses. Honor Guards flanked the path to the hearses holding ceremonial axes. Ladder trucks held a flag above the path.
An Honor Watch was maintained continuously so that the fallen firefighters will never be left alone until they are delivered to their families.
The Memorial Service for the allen firefighters will be held Tuesday, July 9, at Tim’s Toyota Center (3201 N Main St, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314) from 11AM to 1PM. Vice-president Joe Biden is expected to attend. There will be no seating available to the general public.
Jumbotron screens will be provided outside of Tim’s Toyota Center for outdoor viewing. The memorial will be broadcast on several local Arizona stations as well as live streamed.