Images Of...

...sorrow, honor, respect and brotherhood. The images below are from the Ramp Ceremony for fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots Christopher MacKenzie and Kevin Woyjeck.

The two hotshots were returned to Southern California on July 10, 2013 via a California Air National Guard C-130J aircraft. MacKenzie and Woyjeck were two of nineteen Granite Mountain Hotshots who were killed while fighting the Yarnell Fire in central Arizona on June 30, 2013.

The Ramp Ceremony was held at Los Alamitios Joint Forces Training Base in Southern California. It was attended by the families of the fallen, firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel from throughout California and by a grateful and grieving public.

Click on the images for higher quality photos.

Members of the City of Corona CA Fire Dept. Honor Guard prepare for the

Ramp Ceremony.

Honor Guard members from Fire Depts. throughout CA prepare for the

Ramp Ceremony.

 Honor Guard members from Fire Depts. throughout CA prepare for the

Ramp Ceremony.

 Honor Guard members from Fire Depts. throughout CA prepare for the

Ramp Ceremony.

 Lone Cub Scout In A Sea Of Blue

Firefighters, members of the Armed Forces and Honor Guards stand by to

receive the bodies of Christopher MacKenzie and Kevin Woyjeck.

 Honor Guard Members carry the casket of Christopher MacKenzie off of

the aircraft, past saluting aircrew members.

 

 Honor Guard members escort the casket of Christopher MacKenzie past the 

"Sea of Blue" during the Ramp Ceremony.

 Honor Guard Members carry the casket of Kevin Woyjeck off of

the aircraft, past saluting aircrew members.

  Honor Guard members escort the casket of Kevin Woyjeck past the 

"Sea of Blue" during the Ramp Ceremony.

Honor Guard members escort the casket of Kevin Woyjeck past members

of the Armed Forces during the Ramp Ceremony.

Patriot Guard Riders and other motorcycle organizations salute as the hearses

prepare to depart the Los Alamitos Joint Training Base.

Honor Guard member surveys the scene as the hearses prepare to depart the

Ramp Ceremony.

****

The Ramp Ceremony. It's not about politicians, speeches or proselytizing. It's about honoring the fallen, showing respect to the families of the fallen and honoring the traditions and sacrifices of those who have gone before us. Primarily a military ceremony, it was adapted for this occasion. The efforts of the military, the organizations involved and of honor guard members from throughout the state all came together to pull this off. It was a solemn ceremony that honored the two fallen firefighters perfectly.

I am honored just to have attended. 

Thanks for reading,

Schmoe