JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Families of missing firefighters Brian McCluney and Justin Walker say they are overcome with gratitude for the way so many people have come together to find them after they didn't return from a fishing trip off the Port of Canaveral Friday.
Action News Jax Courtney Cole was there as family, friends and loved ones gathered at the Jacksonville Fire Fighter Hall for a prayer vigil on Tuesday evening.
While we're not allowed inside of the vigil out of respect and privacy for the families during this difficult time, Cole said the parking lot was full of cars that showed up to support the firefighters' families.
Tuesday marked Day 5 of the search.
McCluney's wife Stephanie expressed her confidence in God's power to bring Brian and Justin home.
"It's not manpower, it's God power—and he's doing amazing things," Stephanie said.
- Dozens of firefighters help search for two men who went missing while fishing
- "This is a bread crumb they threw overboard": Missing firefighter's tackle bag found by boater
- Photos: Local firefighters to continue search for two missing boaters
- 'We're not giving up until these guys are found:' Search to continue for missing firefighters
- Missing boater's wife helps search by air as rescue efforts continue off Florida coast
- Missing firefighters: 180 volunteers searching off Jacksonville's coast
- Discovery of missing firefighter's tackle-bag helps steer search
- Wife of missing Jacksonville firefighter joins search for husband, friend
- Volunteers in Georgia join efforts to find firefighters lost at sea as search expands
- How to help in the search for missing firefighters lost at sea off Florida Coast
- Volunteer boater recounts covering hundreds of miles in search for missing firefighters
- Pilot searching for firefighters lost at sea says this is some of the hardest flying he's done
- Local doctors discuss what it takes to survive at sea as search continues for missing firefighters
She believes God is doing those amazing things through the help of all the volunteers in the community.
"We cannot express the gratitude from the bottom of our hearts, that these operations, that these agencies have given, from fire departments up-and-down the coast," Stephanie told Action News Jax.
On Tuesday alone, JFRD said 200 people, 75 boats and 11 aircrafts covered nearly 13,000 square miles, determined to find the firefighters.
Walker's firefighter brothers from Fairfax County have also now stepped in to help.
"Praise be to God the things that he is doing right now amongst all of these people," Stephanie said.
After returning from the Mayport Marina, Stephanie McCluney and Justin Walker's parents gathered at the Jacksonville Fire Fighter hall for a prayer vigil.
FOR THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THIS STORY: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories
Inside, family and friends leaned on one another, local Jacksonville firefighters and grief counselors as they hoped and prayed for the news of their loved ones rescue.
On Tuesday evening, Stephanie called on the community to continue their support, so search efforts can continue on Wednesday.
"We've got to get one eye to see, all it takes is one eye, but it takes a multitude out there. It's a big space, it is a bigger God, and he is going to bring them home," Stephanie told Cole.
Stephanie said words could not even begin to adequately express not only their gratitude and renewed sense of strength—seeing everyone working together day-in-and-day-out— on behalf of her husband Brian and his friend Justin.
Not near a TV? Click here to watch Action News Jax newscasts live for the latest on this story
TRENDING: