Katherine Ward, 86, and her daughter Marie Hyta, 59, both of Moreno Valley, were among people waiting Wednesday on the procession route for Hemet native and former Mill Creek Hotshot Chris MacKenzie, who was killed last week with 18 other firefighters in Arizona.
"My late husband Robert J. Ward, was a volunteer fireman in Addison, Illinois, and all firefighters are in our hearts constantly," Ward said.
"We're here to honor this gentleman who gave his life in that fire in Arizona, and is making his way to Hemet, so he knows people care."
Ward and Hyta were waiting at Village West and Van Buren Boulevard, just west of Riverside National Cemetery.
Many motorists honked their horns and shouted support as they drove by.
MacKenzie's remains were flown into Los Alamitos earlier Wednesday by C-130 military transport.
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