| Jun 20, 2007 @ 9:14 AM |
Nine Charleston firefighter
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Craig328
Posts: 98
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CHARLESTON — The firemen of engine companies 16 and 19 moved around their station house in a daze Tuesday.
Black bands covered the badges on their uniform shirts. Grief and fatigue loomed behind their bloodshot eyes.
“We lost nine of our brothers,” said Capt. Clifton Jones, who worked at the Ashley Hall Plantation Road fire station with six of the nine Charleston firefighters killed overnight Monday.
“We love them and we’re going to miss them.”
Seven men on duty at the station roared out on board Engines 16 and 19 Monday night to battle a furniture-store fire.
Story: http://www.thestate.com/154/story/96783.html
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 9:24 AM |
Nine Charleston firefighter |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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I read about that on CNN...it is so sad. I have a very healthy respect for firemen. They put their lives on the line every time they have a call, with no thoughts of themselves.
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 9:26 AM |
Nine Charleston firefighter
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jfreak68
Posts: 1,184
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It is sad, many they are some awesome people, I have always had a thing for the firefighters.. Got to love those firefighter!!!!!
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 10:25 AM |
Nine Charleston firefighter |
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Craig328
Posts: 98
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My career a a firefighter there were many perilous moments. One cannot appreciate the dedication and servitudes of these individuals. I was injured on the job, it made no matter. We did what we were trained to do, save lives and property.
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 10:35 AM |
Nine Charleston firefighter
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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I have a few friends up north that are volunteer firefighters, that I met when I was an EMT, one of which was hurt badly in a few years ago. He is back doing it again, as he felt the same way you did Craig. To him it is about saving lives and property, its was never about him or as some people think an ego trip. He honestly loves helping people.
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 10:48 AM |
Nine Charleston firefighter |
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jfreak68
Posts: 1,184
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I used to date one, He was an awesome person and we had a lot of fun, but I really do believe he had a hard time dealing with some of the things he sees. He would never talk about it, he would just try and drink his problems away. And that is surely not the way to do it, it will not and can not solve the problem... This is why I would not let myself get to involved with him. But he sure was fine!!!!
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 6:51 PM |
Nine Charleston firefighter
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Blondiblue
Posts: 88
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I have had a horrible house fire and the firemen were there so quick and even saved my cat! I have friends who are firefighters and they, too, have seen some horrible things, but have also saved lives many times over. They are my true heroes...
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 6:58 PM |
Nine Charleston firefighter |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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Someone sent this to me, so I thought I would pass it on...
Firemen's Prayer
When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage
Give me strength to save a life
Whatever be its age.
Let me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
To give the best in me,
To guard my friend and neighbor
And protect their property.
And, if, according to your will,
I have to lose my life,
Please bless, with your protecting hand,
My family and my wife.
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| Jun 20, 2007 @ 8:18 PM |
Nine Charleston firefighter
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Craig328
Posts: 98
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I really broke down and cried today while praying for the families. I know the heartache and brotherhood among firefighters, I was injured on the job and they were there the moment I awoke from my surgery. There nothing that binds men more than a common purpose, whether in the military, fighting fires, EMS or law enforcement. I was drawn back to the events of September 11. Video rolled as the buildings clasped, in the background there was a high pitched shriek; none of the reporters said it was the alarms of the compressed air bottles saying a firefighter was down. Those who have access to the video listen, hundreds of alarms going off at once. It's the sound of men making the ultimate sacrifice.
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| Jun 22, 2007 @ 11:30 AM |
Nine Charleston firefighter |
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Craig328
Posts: 98
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Thousands of firefighters from across the nation and Canada poured into South Carolina to attend a memorial service Friday for nine of their own killed in a furniture store blaze.
The victims in Charleston were friends: Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48; Capt. Mike Benke, 49; Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34; Mark Kelsey, 40; Bradford "Brad" Baity, 37; Michael French, 27; James "Earl" Drayton, 56; Brandon Thompson, 27; and Melvin Champaign, 46.
At the entrance to the North Charleston Coliseum before the memorial service, a retired Marine from nearby Mount Pleasant stood with an American flag.
"I joined the Marine Corps when a couple of these kids were just being born. If that don't make you cry, you're not a human being," said Robert Turner, 47. "These guys do the same thing that we did in the Marine Corps. It's all duty. It's all honor. It's all for your country or for somebody else. You don't join the service to get rich. You don't become a firefighter to get rich."
Source: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070622/D8PTSH080.html
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| Jun 22, 2007 @ 11:33 AM |
Nine Charleston firefighter
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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CNN has a pretty good write up on it too. The video had me in tears.
Firemen
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