Thousands honor Houston's four fallen firefighters

Silence descended on Reliant Arena Wednesday as the thousands gathered to mourn four fallen Houston firefighters rose in their seats as the victims' family members entered the hall. It was as if the throng collectively held its breath, steeling itself for the emotionally wrenching outpouring to come.

The morning of mourning had begun hours earlier as fire trucks from around the region and state inched past the arena in tribute to the victims. Inside, the arena floor was a sea of blue as firefighters clad in keenly pressed dress blues sat on the floor. At the arena's front were two ladder trucks, one from Station 68, the other from Station 51. The numbers emblazoned on the vehicles were covered in black — a traditional sign that one of the unit's members has perished.

As the service began, injured firefighter Anthony Livesay was wheeled to the front on a stretcher. Another injured firefighter, Robert Yarborough, then was brought forward in a wheelchair. Both men had been released from the hospital to attend the memorial.

The families of the dead firefighters — Matthew Renaud, Robert Bebee, Robert Garner and Anne Sullivan — were announced as they entered the hall. Many of those gathered saluted.

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