Hundreds gathered in Cedar City’s Main Street Park on Saturday to remember native son Joe Thurston, one of 19 firefighters killed last month fighting an Arizona wildfire.
The gathering, with proceeds benefiting the Thurston family was organized by a cousin Tina Ekker. What she envisioned as a humble get-together soon blossomed into a major event including dignitaries, residents and firefighters from across Utah and Arizona.
“As this thing grew and grew,” Ekker said. “I don’t know what I would have done without the BLM, the department.”
The event included a message from Utah Governor Gary Herbert offering praise for Thurston and condolences to the Thurston family.