A heartbreaking photo has gone viral for showing the moment the toddler son of a fallen Australian firefighter was awarded a posthumous medal to honor his father’s bravery, CNN reported.
19-month-old Harvey Keaton wore a uniform and sucked on a pacifier while the award was pinned to his shirt at his father’s funeral.
On December 19, 32-year-old Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton was traveling in a fire truck en route to fight the bushfires raging in New South Wales.
The volunteer firefighter was joined by fellow first-responder Andrew O’Dwyer. Both men tragically died when a falling tree hit their vehicle, causing it to overturn.
O’Dwyer was also father to a toddler.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service held a memorial service for Keaton on January 2.
Among those in attendance were RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as well as Keaton’s fiancée, Jess Hayes, and their toddler son Harvey.
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Powerful photos of the ceremony were shared on Facebook.
Among the collection of heartbreaking images by NSW Rural Fire Service is one particularly emotional photo that has gripped the internet’s heart.
In the photograph, Commissioner Fitzsimmons pins the posthumous Commendation for Bravery and Service to little Harvey’s shirt.
“Today the NSW RFS family farewelled one of their own, with the funeral of Geoffrey Keaton held in western Sydney earlier today,” the Facebook post read. “Geoff was one of two firefighters who tragically lost their lives while fighting fires in southwest Sydney on 19 December 2019.”
Keaton was posthumously awarded a medal for his bravery.
The post continued, “Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons honored Geoffrey today by awarding him posthumously a Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery and a Commissioner’s Commendation for Service.”
In just a matter of hours, the photo has racked up over 7,000 reactions from users who have also expressed their devastation over the tragic loss.
“Such an absolute tragedy,” one person wrote, while another added, “A brave man who quite literally put his life on the line to keep others safe from harm. All our love and deepest condolences to his family.”
Someone else poignantly wrote, “Australia is devastated.”
After Keaton and O’Dwyer were killed last month, Prime Minister Morrison said they sacrificed their lives in the name of duty.
“They were bravely defending their communities with an unmatched spirit and a dedication that will forever set them apart amongst our most courageous Australians,” he said.
“Their sacrifice and service saving lives and saving properties will be forever remembered. I wish those injured all the best in their recovery.”
A service for O’Dwyer will be held next week.
If you’d like to donate to help Australia’s relief efforts, there are many good, credible agencies, including the NSW RSPCA and the NSW Rural Fire Service. Donate to the RSPCA right here or to the NSW RFS right here .
