07/31/13 The Plymouth campus of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center hosted a ceremony honoring fallen fighters on Tuesday morning.
Loretta Schmidt, President and CNO of the hospital welcomed those gathered in the front lobby and said, “This memorial service is important to us, as today is the 30th day of losing 19 firefighters in Arizona and tomorrow marks the 31st anniversary of the five Plymouth firefighters being killed in the line of duty.” Schmidt then introduced Anna Roe who sang the National Anthem and had to group join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
SJRMC Chaplin, Les Johnson read scripture from Isaiah, Chapter 43.
Plymouth Fire Chief Rod Miller was “greatly honored” to read the names of the 19 firefighters, members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, part of the Prescott Fire Department that lost their lives Sunday, June 30th, while battling the 2,000-acre Yarnell Hill fire that ignited a couple of days earlier south of Prescott.
Andrew Ashcraft, 29
— Kevin Woyjeck, 21
— Anthony Rose, 23
— Eric Marsh, 43
— Christopher MacKenzie, 30
— Robert Caldwell, 23
— Clayton Whitted , 28
— Scott Norris, 28
— Dustin Deford, 24
— Sean Misner, 26
— Garret Zuppiger, 27
— Travis Carter, 31
— Grant McKee, 21
— Travis Turbyfill, 27
— Jesse Steed, 36
— Wade Parker, 22
— Joe Thurston, 32
— William Warneke, 25
— John Percin, 24
Volunteer firefighter, City Councilman, and former Plymouth Fire Chief Wayne Smith spoke briefly of Plymouth’s firefighters that died in a vehicle accident on State Road 17 at the curve at West School on Saturday, July 31st, 1982.
Al Kriscunas
Dane Hoffien
Randy Hansen
Brian Samuels and
Gary Van Vactor.
Amazing Grace was sung by the crowd and then everyone moved out front for the traditional Bell Ringing Ceremony, one ring for each firefight who has passed.
