Eighteen members of the Golden Eagles HotShots of Sycuan returned to San Diego Monday night after more than two weeks battling wildfires.
Family, friends and fellow firefighters gathered at the headquarters for the elite firefighting unit.
The Golden Eagles spent 16 days fighting fires north of Los Angeles and later in Westfork, Colo. Their tour was a long one by modern standards. One made even longer by the news of 19 fellow hot shots killed in Yarnell, Ariz.
It has been a tragedy felt throughout the ranks of these front line special operations firefighters.
Retired firefighter Charlie Brown spent 30 years doing this dangerous job.
He feels the same sadness over the loss in this close knit group.
“I lost something right here because that's,” he pauses as he gets emotional. “That’s your brother and sister out there. It hurts when you lose them it really does.”
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Returning members of the Golden Eagles, distraught over losing fellow firefighters chose not to talk about it.
The group huddled for a short counseling session with the chief and former chief where they were encouraged to share their feelings about the Arizona tragedy.
The get two days off then return to the front lines. They may even be called to help battle the Yarnell wildfire.
