[Whiteriver, Arizona] -- Fort Apache firefighters were paid tribute on August 29 with a full day of activities at Sunrise Park Resort. The festivities, coordinated by staff and management of the Fort Apache Agency and the White Mountain Apache Tribe, were well attended and much enjoyed. The occasion was climaxed by a fireworks display over the lake, sponsored by Sunrise Park Resort.

Throughout the day, a gathering of nearly 500 firefighters, support personnel, family, curious tourists, White Mountain Apache Tribal Council members and other guests enjoyed barbecue, games and entertainment including Native American comedian Drew Lacapa and a performance by traditional Apache Crown Dancers. Area elected officials in attendance included Show Low Vice Mayor Bob Belzer, Navajo County Sheriff Gary Butler and Navajo County Supervisors Jerry Brownlow and J.R. DeSpain.

Among the highlights of the tribute were presentations and displays featuring the rapid progression of the Rodeo and Chediski fires and narrations explaining the massive operations involved in the fires. suppression.

The Apache firefighters and support personnel were presented with certificates of appreciation and posters specially created to honor the occasion and commemorate the long tradition of the Apaches in wildland fire suppression and fuels treatment projects. The day's festivities featured guest speakers, games, barbecue, traditional Apache Crown Dancers and a fireworks display over Sunrise Lake.

It took more than a blast of monsoon storms to dampen the spirits of those who recently joined in the tribute to Fort Apache Firefighters.

The primary guest speaker was Jim Paxon, lead information officer for Larry Humphreys' Southwest Area Incident Management Team. Paxon autographed scores of posters and posed for dozens of photographs.

-- fta --