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American Morning

Washington Firefighters Honored at Memorial Service

Aired July 25, 2001 - 09:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Now, a story from Washington state, where hundreds of firefighters turned out to pay last respects to four young firefighters. You might remember the story from a few weeks ago. These young people died battling a fast-moving blaze in Washington state's Northern Cascades.

Our Lilian Kim has the story now not just on the memorial service, but you're going to actually hear from the young people who gave their lives.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEVIN WEAVER, FIREFIGHTER: Yes, I am a rookie. This is my first year here. First time actual fighting fire and I like it so far.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LILIAN KIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Twenty-one-year-old Devin Weaver talked about his summer job on the first day of firefighter training camp, just weeks before his death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WEAVER: It's hard work. It's definitely not the most glamorous work, but I think that it's kind of fun.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KIM: Weaver died July 10 in a fast-moving wildfire in north- central Washington state. Three other firefighters perished beside him, 18-year-old Karen Fitzpatrick, 19-year-old Jessica Johnson and 30-year-old Tom Craven. A special ceremony for the four young firefighters who lost their lives. To the people here, they are heroes who died protecting the land they live.

DAVE LEITCH, YAKIMA CO. WASHINGTON FIRE CHIEF: These young firefighters did not consider themselves heroes. They loved their jobs, and were well satisfied with a day's job done well. Children looking for role models should look no longer.

KIM: Washington Governor Gary Locke personally thanked the firefighters' families. Afterward, a video montage remembered the four dead, not just as firefighters, but as co-workers and friends.

ANN VENEMAN, AGRICULTURE SECRETARY: We will never forget you; we will always honor your sacrifice and duty. Jessica, Devin, Karen and Tom, Godspeed, brave firefighters.

KIM: As for that deadly wildfire, fire crews reached full containment yesterday. It took a while to build a line around that fire because of steep terrain, it was very difficult to access.

Lilian Kim, CNN, Yakima, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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