Our nation weeps for 19 brave young men lost this week, and the families they leave behind. In Arizona, we lost some of “our own”. For Prisma Graphic team member Brian Skeet, he’s lost a mentor and former colleagues. For another team member, Lore Greenwood, he’s lost two friends.
Brian, currently a member of the Prisma grand format team, spent four years in Northern Arizona as an elite firefighter and member of the Blue Ridge Hotshots crew from 2006 to 2010. Many of the Granite Mountain crewmembers lost this week were working together with the Blue Ridge team during Brian’s tenure.
Brian, 27, considers fallen firefighter Eric Marsh, 43, a mentor. “Eric showed me the ropes. We worked side-by-side on a couple fires and he taught me some things about fighting fire.”
Lore went to high school with Clayton Whitted and Travis Turbyfill, and remembers great times playing football and fishing. Lore attended a vigil at Prescott High School last night, packed with residents from the quad city community (Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley & Yarnell).
Immediately following Sunday’s tragedy, Prisma team members asked “How can we help?” Today we installed a banner on our building, as a symbol of honor and support for those lost. In addition, Prisma is accepting monetary donations until August 1. All donations will be matched by Prisma Graphic and donated to the 100 Club of Arizona, c/o Granite Mountain Hotshot Families.
View photos and short stories about 18 of the 19 fallen Hotshots.
