Thursday, August 22, 2013

Pray, Bless and Keep the Firefighters

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Today, we came to learn that there is a wildfire near Groveland California, it is reported here.  According to this article, the fire was "25 square miles and was only 5 percent contained"..., "threatening some 2,500 homes, hotels and camp buildings."

We camped near Groveland when we visited Yosemite National Park in April.  We are saddened to learn this news.

Near the campground on the way to the Big Oak Flat Entrance of Yosemite, there is a vista, named, Rim of the World, with several memorials to firefighters lost in past fires.


In Memory Of

DAVID ERICKSON

A  U.S. Forest Service Crew Leader
From Siskiyou County, Calif.
Lost His Life While Fighting the Stanislaus
Complex Fire Which Destroyed 147000 Acres
For the Love of the Forest He Gave
The Ultimate Sacrifice September 11, 1987

Sit and Rest Awhile
Listen to the Pines Whisper In the Light Wind
Gaze At The Trees And Look Upward
Where Branches Reach The Sky
Where Clouds Pass By and Day Turns To Night
Where Memories Are Everlasting.


In Memory Of

EVA MARIE ASCHICKE

Oct. 25, 1980 - Sept. 12, 2004
Eva was a crew member of Helitack 404,
based out of Columbia, California, on
9/12/2004 the Heltack crew was over run
by flameson the Tuolumne Fire.  The fire
was located over the ridge from where
you stand, in Tuolumne River canyon.
Eva will be remembered in history, not only
as the first female CDF firefighter to die in
the line of duty, but also as a daughter,
a sister, a crewmate and friend.  Each day
we can honor her by living our lives the
way she did, with determination, kindness
and a passion for life.  We miss Eva's
contagious smile, but her spirit is with
us as she flies on the wings of a hawk.

We pray that there is no need to add additional memorials, may all the firefighters currently on duty stay safe.




* I understand that now over 53,000 acres have burned.

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