Nineteen heroes died Sunday in a wildfire near Prescott, Ariz.

These individuals are the real thing. Not the make-believe “heroes” we concoct out of sports figures or even out of film and TV characters.

They are the folks who put their lives on the line every time the bell goes off.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/arizona/free/20130701yarnell-hill-firefighters-die.html

The firefighters were members of an elite team called Hot Shots and were battling a wildfire in the town of Yarnell, near Prescott. Reports indicate that the fire swept out of control rapidly and overcame the firefighters in what’s been called the worst firefighting tragedy since 9/11.

It was during that horrific event nearly a dozen years ago when the world watched firefighters running into — not away from — the inferno at the Twin Towers. It was that event that cemented in our minds the meaning of the word “hero” and educated many of us never to hang that label on those who don’t deserve the honor.

The 19 firefighters who perished over the weekend in Arizona are heroes forever.

God bless them … and all of those public safety personnel who answer the call to duty on our behalf.