Firefighters gather in an embrace to a standing ovation during a memorial service for 19 firefighters of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew that were killed battling a wildfire, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Tom Tingle)
Firefighters gather in an embrace to a standing ovation during a memorial service for 19 firefighters of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew that were killed battling a wildfire, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Tom Tingle)
Mourners seated in a section reserved for friends and family react during a memorial service Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz., honoring the 19 firefighters killed battling a wildfire near Yarnell, Ariz., Sunday. The elite crew of firefighters was overtaken by the out-of-control blaze as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
A woman reacts as the national anthem is sung at the start of a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
A couple embraces during a memorial service Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz., honoring the 19 firefighters killed battling a wildfire near Yarnell, Ariz., Sunday. The elite crew of firefighters was overtaken by the out-of-control blaze as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Prescott and other area department firefighters embrace during a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz., The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) ? More than 1,000 people turned out Monday to a Prescott gymnasium to honor the bravery and sacrifice of 19 Hotshot firefighters who died battling a wildfire in Arizona.
Those in the crowd rocked children in their arms, wiped away tears and applauded robustly after each set of remarks, often rising to their feet. Speakers at the memorial quoted heavily from Scripture.
U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., said the Hotshots laid down their lives not only for their friends and loved ones, but for people they didn't even know.
The men died Sunday after the blaze they were battling near the small town of Yarnell, about 85 miles northwest of Phoenix, exploded tenfold in a matter of hours, trapping them.
Authorities say the tragedy all but wiped out the 20-member Granite Mountain Hotshots, a Prescott-based unit.
Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo spoke in a shaky voice and paused frequently as he described throwing a picnic a month ago for his new recruits and meeting their families.
"About five hours ago, I met those same families at an auditorium," he said during the service, held at the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "Those families lost. The Prescott Fire Department lost. The city of Prescott lost. The state of Arizona and the nation lost."
At the end of the ceremony, dozens of wildfire fighters sporting Hotshot shirts and uniforms from other jurisdictions marched down from the top of the bleachers to the front of the gym auditorium, their heavy work boots drumming a march on the wooden steps.
The firefighters bowed their heads for a moment of silence in memory of their fallen comrades as slides bearing each man's name and age were projected behind them.
The 19 killed were 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; and John Percin, 24.
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