The Granite Mountain Hotshots

5/28/2024

Hello, blog friends!

I've another poem to share with you. It's different from my usual poem, in that it focuses on a local tribute.

This weekend the memorial to the Granite Mountain Hotshots was revealed. It stands near the entrance to the Prescott Courthouse.

This isn't the only memorial to the nineteen firemen who lost their lives, but this one is in the center of Prescott where all can read about the brave young men who tried to stop the Yarnell Hill Fire.

Below is a photo of the plaque which is next to the memorial. It explains what occurred that fateful day, as does the movie, Only The Brave.

This week Colleen Chesebro invites us to create a kimo poem, stanzas of 10-7-6 syllables.

My three-stanza poem uses these seasonal words: weather dry, winds strong, fires roared, lightning, and inferno. They are words familiar to anyone who experiences summer in the high desert. I hope you like it.

Have a wonderful week -- hopefully with sunshine and cool breezes.

39 Comments

Harmony link

5/29/2024 04:41:53

You’ve made a tragedy into something beautiful and poignant,
Gwen. Bravo my friend, and sending hugs and love to you 🤗💕🙂

Gwen M. Plano

5/29/2024 08:23:26

Thanks so much, Harmony. The entire State was much affected by this tragedy and seeing people honor the memorial was very touching. ❤️

Liz Gauffreau link

5/29/2024 05:33:39

Thank you for this tribute to a group of true American heros.

Gwen M. Plano

5/29/2024 08:24:34

Thank you, Liz. It is a privilege to honor them here. 💙

Priscilla Bettis link

5/29/2024 06:16:13

How sad. Your poem is a wonderful tribute to these young men.

Gwen M. Plano

5/29/2024 08:25:49

Thank you, Priscilla. I'm glad you appreciated the poem. 💙

Tim Dittmer link

5/29/2024 07:04:21

Wonderful tribute to those heroes, Gwen. ❤🙏

Gwen M. Plano

5/29/2024 08:26:36

Thank you, Tim. 💙

Daniel Antion link

5/29/2024 09:10:59

Such a tragic thing to happen, Gwen. You've given them a very nice tribute.

Gwen M. Plano

5/29/2024 09:25:13

Thank you, Dan. I'm so pleased you liked the post. 💙

D.L. Finn

5/29/2024 10:02:04

Beautiful tribute to heroes that are often overlooked. Xo

Gwen M. Plano

5/30/2024 05:42:15

Thank you, Denise. In this area, folks hold the Hotshots in much respect. So many locals were affected by the tragedy. 💙

Jan Sikes

5/29/2024 10:19:10

What a wonderful tribute to these young men. And your poem captures it perfectly, Gwen. It touches my heart.

Gwen M. Plano

5/30/2024 05:42:56

Thank you, Jan, for the kind words. 💙

John Howell link

5/29/2024 11:09:50

A beautiful tribute to those brave firefighters, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

5/30/2024 05:43:37

Thank you, John. 💙

Frances

5/29/2024 12:34:07

Powerful tribute to those courageous enough to head into the event. Though from another state, I remember that fire and listened to caregivers after the event.

Gwen M. Plano

5/30/2024 05:45:19

Thank you, Frances. It was a heartbreaking fire. I moved her after the tragedy, but it is as though it happened yesterday. 💙

Annette Aben

5/29/2024 16:19:03

God Bless us, everyone!

Gwen M. Plano

5/30/2024 05:45:57

Yes, God Bess us, everyone. Thank you, Annette. 💙

Lauren Scott link

5/29/2024 22:10:43

A beautiful tribute to those brave men who became heroes, Gwen. ❤️

Gwen M. Plano

5/30/2024 05:47:46

Thank you, Lauren. These young men have become part of everyone's heart in this locale. True heroes. 💙

Karen Ingalls

5/30/2024 12:27:38

A beautiful and touching poem, Gwen. Memorial Weekend is a very special observation for me. Thank you for sharing.

Gwen M. Plano

5/30/2024 16:43:25

Thanks you, dear Karen. It's special for me as well. ❤️

Teagan Riordain Geneviene link

5/30/2024 15:24:13

This is a lovely tribute, Gwen. Though I couldn't remember exactly where they were, I have never forgotten. The horror of it is too much to imagine. (I had read a very detailed report of what happened.) It's just too terrible.

Gwen M. Plano

5/30/2024 16:45:25

Thank you, Teagan. It's a heartbreaking remembrance. There are many relatives of the Hotshots in this area, so it's even more powerful. 💙

Yvette M Calleiro link

5/31/2024 16:37:42

Beautiful kimo poems to pay tribute to their loss. Well done, Gwen!

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Gwen M. Plano

5/31/2024 18:17:10

Thank you so much, Yvette. 💙

JadeLi link

5/31/2024 18:00:38

Gwen a very moving tribute, both by the city and by you, to honor the fallen heroes. They died following their noblest passions. Just wondering if that 1,000 year old tree was lost in the fire that killed them?

Gwen M. Plano

5/31/2024 18:23:19

Thank you, Jade. The tree was saved and has become a monument to the firemen who worked to save it. ❤️

Kerfe

6/1/2024 19:06:02

That's a poignant tribute Gwen to the selflessness of those (and all) firefighters.

Gwen M. Plano

6/3/2024 11:00:42

Thank you, Kerfe. I'm often humbled by the dedication of our first responders. ❤️

D. Wallace Peach link

6/3/2024 09:29:54

So tragic, Colleen. Fires are incredibly dangerous and can move fast if the winds are up. The men and women who fight them deserve our respect and gratitude, and in this case, the tribute and memorial. A beautiful and sad poem, my friend.

Gwen M. Plano

6/3/2024 11:01:53

Thank you, Diana. As you've mentioned, they deserve our respect and gratitude. ❤️

Colleen link

6/3/2024 10:03:48

Gwen, this is such a lovely tribute to those firefighters. I remember this event. We had just moved from Prescott Valley to Florida. xx

Gwen M. Plano

6/3/2024 11:03:05

Thank you, Colleen. Having lived here, you know the 'fire season' well. My heart goes out to all the families of these young men. ❤️

Jules link

6/3/2024 16:44:42

My family husband, both children, and in-laws too, have been involved with the volunteer fire (hubby alone vol. for over 30 years) and hazmat and we also have compensated firefirghters in the family. None were Hotshots - but all firefighters are 'family'.

A lovely tribute, memorial and your verse.

Robbie Cheadle

6/3/2024 23:08:50

A lovely poem, Gwen. To commemorate a tragic event.

willowdot21 link

6/4/2024 12:28:32

Emergency workers deserve our respect. You wrote a beautiful tribute 💜💜

The Granite Mountain Hotshots

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