Asian Americans Contribute to Granite Mountain Hotshots

by Barry Wong

(Prescott/Phoenix) Leaders of the Asian American Communities of Maricopa County were part of a ceremony in Prescott on October 28, 2013 where they presented funds raised to support the families of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots who perished in the Yarnell wildfire.

Welcome. Prescott Fire Station 71 was the setting for the presentation ceremony. Battalion Chief Ralph Lucas III welcomed the group from Phoenix and expressed how appreciative the Prescott firefighter family was of the efforts by the Asian American communities in raising funds to support the surviving families of the 19 fallen Hotshots. ”There is no book on how to react to such a tragedy; you are helping us write the book,”said Lucas. ”Efforts by your communities are greatly appreciated.”

Remarks. Each of the leaders from the Asian American Community of Maricopa County spoke sharing their condolences for the fallen Hotshots. Ms. Mai Le, chairwoman of the fundraising effort and president of TNT AZ Radio, said ?we are a small but fast growing community of Asian Americans in Maricopa County; although we live far from Yarnell, your loss is our loss because we are all fellow Arizonans.”

Ms. Maribel Dillard, co-chair of the fundraising and president of Arizona Asian American Association, said ”Asian Americans comprised of many ethnicities including Vietnamese, Chinese and Filipino have embraced the fallen and have opened their hearts and pocketbooks in support.” On behalf of the Council of Filipino Organizations of Arizona she conveyed their condolences and fundraising support.

With emotion, Ms. Dzung Tran, fundraising project leader and board leader of the Vietnamese Community of Arizona, shared how the news of the Hotshots’demise impacted her and moved her to initiate the fundraising in her community. ”I was so saddened once I heard of the loss of the Hotshots; we had to help the families somehow.”

Fundraising co-chair Barry Wong said although Asian Americans comprise about one percent of Arizona’s population the communities are active and the leaders look beyond their own ethnic communities to support efforts and important causes impacting Arizonans broadly. ”Asian Americans address needs in their own communities, and are also mindful and supportive of the needs of their fellow Arizonans of all backgrounds.”

Presentation. Following the formal remarks Ms. Le completed the ceremonial ”big check” pre-printed as paid to Prescott Firefighter’s Charities and the 100 Club of Arizona filling in the amount for $10,000. Wong announced the amount for the families of the 19 fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots with $9,000 to Prescott Firefighter’s Charities and $1,000 to the 100 Club.

Most of the funds collected were in small amounts coming from donors of ”modest means” including nail salon workers, waiters and waitresses and even students.

Ms. Billie Denike, President, Prescott Firefighter’s Charities, was overcome with emotion. Teary-eyed, she thanked the Asian American Community of Maricopa County and the leaders for their generous support. ”The needs of the Hotshots?wives and children are ongoing; your coming up here to support us means a lot to all the families,” said Denike. ”Thank you from all of us.”

The ceremony closed with Assistant Chief Corey Moser thanking the Asian American Community of Maricopa County for their outpouring of support. ”Your efforts are touching and could not have come at a better time as emotional and financial support is still needed by the families of the fallen; thank you from the entire Prescott firefighter family.”

Following the ceremony Battalion Chief Lucas took the Asian American leaders on a tour of Prescott including to the fire station where the Hotshots were based and a respectful visit to the gravesites of the fallen.

Mayor Visit. Separately, prior to the ceremony the Asian American leaders met with Prescott Mayor Marlin Kuykendall to share their condolences on the loss of the Hotshots. Mayor Kuykendall thanked the group for caring about the fallen Hotshots and raising the needed funds. ”Your presence here today means a lot to all of us in Prescott as we continue to go through the grieving process for the fallen Hotshots.”

Financial support by the Asian American Communities in Maricopa County has and will make a difference in the lives of the surviving spouses and children of the fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots.