I am without words to express my grief over the loss of the “19 Granite Mountain Hotshots” who courageously fought the Arizona wildfires on Sunday evening which expanded from 200 acres to 2000 acres in a matter of hours. Many people would have refused to even try to fight such an incredibly foreboding fire under the horrific conditions of this wildfire. However, these fine individuals never considered abandoning their mission and persevered, despite having to pay the ultimate price. This determination and loyalty to a noble cause is the very embodiment of a hero. I had the rare privilege of being able to get a small glimpse into the life of one of the firefighters today, Andrew Ashcraft, courtesy of his wife Juliann, who was kind enough to share some of the last texts he sent to her. Even during these moments which must have been daunting and frightening for him, Andrew used this time to impart sentimental thoughts to his wife and children. He told Juliann that he missed and loved her and their four children and he asked her to tell their oldest son who was 6 years old how proud he was of him for speaking at their church and that he was sorry he had to miss it. As a husband and father myself, I can only hope and pray that in times of danger and extreme difficulty, that I would find the strength and resolve to focus on my loved ones and to share such tender loving thoughts with them. I am confident that Andrew Ashcraft epitomizes the spirit of these 19 men who dedicated their lives to an extraordinary mission. I wish to personally honor them and to convey my deepest admiration for their memory and my most heartfelt compassion for their loved ones. The world is undoubtedly an enriched place with them having been in it.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 04:05:04 +0000
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