CLIFTON, Va. — It has been a difficult and painful few weeks for the Brice family. On April 10, their Clifton home went up in flames.
Zachariah, 3, and William, 6, were trapped inside the home and had to be rescued by firefighters.
James Brice says he and his wife Reina, were both at work when it happened. Their oldest son was with his wife at her job at the time.
"My parents were gracious enough to allow us to stay in their home and watch the kids," said James Brice.
He says they got an alert that the house was on fire and rushed home, to find out that their 8-year-old son and his parents had made it out. However, their two youngest boys were still trapped inside.
"We were frightened to death. When they told us our two kids were really sick and really hurt we went into panic mode and just started praying," said James Brice.
He says first responders gave the boys CPR until they were able to get their heartbeats back, before rushing them to the hospital. For days, the family prayed that the boys would pull through.
"It was really painful because we could still see the heartbeat. Ultimately when they got to the testing there was no response and they weren't able to do anything on their own," said James Brice.
He says on Sunday, less than a week after the fire, the boys passed away
Thursday afternoon, an honor walk was held at Children's National Hospital as the two young boys were brought into surgery to donate their organs.
"Their hearts are hopefully gonna go on and the recipients are going to be able to have those big hearts in them," said James Brice.
Even more special, the boys saved lives together.
"It was very important to this family for the boys and brothers to be together. So what was really incredible is they were able to be in the operating room around the same time, so that they could save lives together. They were able to have this honor walk together. Brothers together until the end and their legacy lives on," said Daniels.
She told WUSA9 she believes this decision will also bring the family some comfort.
"By these parents making this selfless and courageous decision on behalf of their sons they are going to save lives and help other families find that hope. We also believe this will be healing and comforting to them as a family to know that Zachariah and William live on," said Jecoliah Daniels, a spokesperson for Infinite Legacy.
The Brices say they've received an outpouring of support from their church and community. They also found some comfort in what firefighters shared with them.
"They said as dark as the house was, they could see them clearly somehow, to what we believe was God had put his mercy around them," said James Brice.
Even more heart-wrenching, the firefighters told the Brice's they found William covering Zachariah.
"He said your 6-year-old was covering your 3-year-old," he said, adding this detail came as no surprise.
"We knew that was his character and we knew how smart he was and fast and strong he was. If he wanted to leave the house he could have but we believe he saw his brother in trouble and he went back to protect him," said James Brice.
He says the boys had an unbreakable bond.
"They just loved each other and everybody. They just lit up every room they went in. They didn't know any strangers. They were always giving hugs, high fives and telling people they loved them," said James Brice.
The family says their focus is on honoring and remembering their two boys.
"It was dark, it was evil, but we're not running away from it. We want to shine the light and help others who are hurting so we're finding some purpose," said James Brice.
He says this is a reminder to everyone, to live each moment like it's your last.
"Here today it could be gone tomorrow. Enjoy each moment, tell your kids, tell your family you love them."
This weekend, they plan to hold a 'party' as they're calling it, to celebrate the lives of their two little boys.
"We believe Heaven celebrates when other people come to faith. We have a picture of William wearing a sticker that says I started a party," said James Brice.
He told WUSA9, that the church where they're holding the celebration of William and Zachariah has 2100 seats, and they're hoping to fill every single one of them.
The celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, at 4 p.m. The family invites anyone impacted by the boys' story to attend. It will take place at the Word of Life Church at 5225 Backlick Road in Springfield, Virginia.
Those who attend are encouraged to wear either green or blue, the boys' favorite colors. Attendees can also wear any fun characters, superheroes, or NFL jerseys.
"Come ready to remember, honor, and celebrate the impact they have had - and continue to have - on this world," the family wrote on Facebook.
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