The fallen had been taken to Phoenix because the Prescott morgue could not handle 19. There, they were under the watch of the Honor Guard 24 hours a day. #DATM 1/
On the day they were to be transported back to Prescott I was assigned to do a live interview on a street corner after the hearses had passed. #DATM 2/
Up until that point, the whole thing seemed abstract and almost unbelievable to me. But. The 19 hearses passing at slow speed through downtown Prescott and the thousands of people watching in absolute quietness got to me. That made it joltingly real. #DATM 3/ 
I can’t describe what that felt like. One after the other. It took for what seemed hours. When they were finally passed, I turned to look at the reporter and cameraman. They were crying. I realized I was crying. We hugged and called off the interview. #DATM 4/4
Fire memorial services are built on centuries of tradition. The whole purpose is to move the fallen from the community of firefighters into history, where they will never be forgotten. The service also moves the family into the community. #DATM 1/
The arrangements are such that the families are literally surrounded & figuratively embraced by firefighters. By doing this, we reaffirm that we are a community & that through their sacrifice, the families are now part of that community. It is both somber & uplifting. #DATM 2/2
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