Remembering the fallen
Charleston's nine honored at ceremony for nation's firefighters
Assoicated Press
Two fire service honor guards stand by a wreath that was placed at the 27th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Md.
In the seclusion of rolling countryside surrounded by perfect blue skies and the early orange-yellow hues of autumn, grieving families paused Sunday to honor the nation's fallen firefighters, including Charleston's nine.
Thousands attended the moving two-hour event in which the names of those killed in last year's Sofa Super Store fire on Savannah Highway and other fatal accidents around the country were added to the country's official firefighter memorial on the grounds of the National Fire Academy.
The 27th annual service, organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the U.S. Fire Administration, paid tribute to 101 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2007. The campus' memorial honors more than 3,200 firefighters. South Carolina, with 10 on-duty deaths in 2007, accounted for nearly 10 percent of the nation's firefighter fatalities.
Killed in the June 18, 2007, fire at the sofa store in West Ashley were Engineer Bradford Baity, 37; Capt. Theodore "Mike" Benke, 49; Firefighter Melvin Champaign, 56; Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, 56; Assistant Engineer Michael French, 27;
Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48; Engineer Mark Kelsey, 40; Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34; and Firefighter Brandon Thompson, 27. Wagener Firefighter Jeffrey Swartz, 36, accounted for South Carolina's remaining fire service fatality last year, having died in a motor vehicle accident while responding to a medical call on Aug. 19, 2007. Members from each of the nine families who lost loved ones in the sofa store fire traveled to Maryland for the weekend of tribute and remembrance. Some said the service marked a milestone in their grieving.
Diane French, mother of fallen firefighter Michael French, said the meticulously planned event comforted her, but she is relieved that it was the last of such public displays. "We were able to let some of our grief show, " she said. "My family was honored to be a part of it. But how many times do we have to say goodbye?"
She said the nine families have grown closer through each such gathering and have come to rely on each other for strength and support. "Through this tragedy we have formed this bond," she said. "We are an extended family now."
The names of the fallen were grouped by state and read aloud as firefighters presented survivors with folded American flags that had been flown over the White House. President Bush sent a written statement, saying that the dedication displayed by the fallen firefighters and their sacrifice "represent the best of our country."
The event also was highlighted by a series of fire service traditions, such as the playing of bag pipes, the releasing of white doves and the tolling of a bell. Lauren Mulkey, widow of fallen firefighter Louis Mulkey, said it was tough sitting through the emotional tributes but she was glad she made the trip.
"It kind of opened some wounds, but it also provides a sense of comfort being around people who have gone through it and continue to live with it."
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said he attended to represent the city, its citizens and the entire Lowcountry devastated by last year's tragedy.
As a speaker read the names of Charleston's fallen, Riley said, he relived the profound sadness of the loss.
"My mind went back to the night of the fire and the funerals," Riley said. "It's heartbreaking again."
Still, to see the Charleston Fire Department's sacrifice recognized on a national stage was humbling and served as a reminder of the dedication firefighters show their communities every day, he said.
Capt. Lance Williams, head of the Charleston Fire Department's honor guard, said his unit has worked far too many funerals and memorial services since last year's fire.
Still, he said, the Maryland service was important because it was designed for the families left behind. "That's what it's all about."
Former Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas, who retired one year after the fire amid criticism of his department's handling of the blaze, did not attend the service. The department was represented by a handful of top commanders, including Acting Deputy Chief William Finley.
Montgomery County (Md.) Fire Chief Thomas Carr Jr., who is expected to become Charleston's new fire chief, also attended the service and participated in the ceremonies.
Carr said he's been attending the memorial for years because it helps remind him of the gravity of being responsible for firefighters' lives. "It's important as a chief to understand the reality of our job. "I take that responsibility seriously."
He said Sunday's somber event also served as a reminder of the healing and rebuilding that continues inside the Charleston Fire Department and the challenges ahead as he prepares to assume command. "In many ways, it invigorates me. It focuses me," he said.
Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier. com or 937-5724.
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Comments
cfdfamily (anonymous) says...
We miss you all EVERYDAY!
October 6, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
The tragidy still continues today! Why were not all of the men's mothers and fathers invited to attend by the City of Charleston. Retire Chief Dorothy Hutchinson, who lost her son Billy and gave 25 years of service to the City of Charleston, was not included. I do know that she was contacted by Chief Gerald Mishoe, who is the leader of the Firefighter Support group. Mrs. Dot had ask the Mayor in May to please contact her in the future concerning any event involving her son. She was forced to watch her son being honored from a computer. I have to assume the city does not understand family dynamics. Only Billy's wife and daughters attended. Mrs. Dot spent 49 years with Billy, his wife and kids only spent a fraction of that time with him. A mother brings life into this world and nurtures them to become the men they are. Why then are they then forgotten when it comes to honoring them? Some of the families included the mother and fathers as a way all families should but some time situations call for a intervention by others to show respect to those who, with out their sacrifice, made these men men. I do not believe Mrs. Dot was the only family that this happened to. Ann and Mike Mulkey also have suffered because of a very dysfunctional family situation.
To those families: Those of us who spent a large part of our lives with your son share in your disappointment. We will never forget your sons and will continue to honor them in our hearts and with our actions.
Nine brave brothers rest in Jesus name, Amen!
October 6, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
frenchsmom (anonymous) says...
This was an event known about since the fire last year, anyone who wanted to attend had the right to. I don't need a personal invitation to attend any event that honors my son, nor do I need permission from anyone to attend these events. By the grace of God my family is not one of those with personal issues, but even if we were nothing could have kept me from attending the memorial. The Foundation paid for spouses and children, if there was not a spouse or child then the parents were next in line. My daughter in law and grandchildren were the ones the Foundation sponsored, the rest of my family paid our own way. I'm sure other families had the same choice. Firefighters who were not part of the Honor Guard, drove to Maryland at their own expense to attend the memorial. I feel for those who are arguing, I don't now where they find the energy to fight among themselves, I have chosen to save my fight to correct the wrongs that caused this tradgedy and honor my son's memory by making the career that he chose, a safer one for those men and women who are still here doing the job. I don't need recognition from the public or agencies to tell me I am his mother. I know I'm his mother, he knew who his mother is and how much he IS loved and how deeply he is missed and that's all that matters to me.
October 6, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
You are a lucky mother! I do not mean to offend, only point out the failures of the system, just as to the failures on 6-18-07. This was not the only time these wives have keep the families of these two men from sharing in this tragidy. I had a chance to hold Mike Mulkey and cry with him at the evening service at the sight on 6-18-08 because of a wife's disrespect to her in laws. This was his son, he deserved better from his daughter in law. Fortunately that night Mrs. Dot's daughter in law had a heart and allowed her a moment alone with her son at the sight.
Mrs. French I understand your grief but not all families are as lucky to function as yours has. Please lighten up on Mrs. Dot. She knows more of why this happened than you ever will. She spent years being looked down at by those in power with in the department. She knows in her heart that she does not need to seek vengeance for their actions because in the end the Lord almighty will bring down his power upon those responsible for her sons death as well as the death of the other eight men who died that day, because of ignorance and pride. These men did not need to die the way they did. It was the culmination of 20 of neglect by those in charge that day.
I will always defend those who have been wronged by these men's death. I do not wish to bring more hurt into this issue, as there is far too much to go around already. This tragidy not only encompasses the fire but the hurt and disrespect that many of us have endured for years. Your son was only here on the job with us for a short time. No disrespect to him or you, but there is and was far more to this tragidy than you will ever understand. I do not wish to argue with you. I have my view, you have yours. That will never bring these men back. I respect your view, please respect mine. I hurt every day because I could have done more to make sure this never happened to start with. I will hurt forever in my heart for these men and their families, of which you are one. Please respect my grief. It comes from my heart and soul!
October 6, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StopIt (anonymous) says...
If you "do not wish to bring more hurt into this issue," then please, stop it. Stop it now. Stop writing in an attempt to verbalize your hurt at the expense of others. Regardless of how you feel others were treated, your discussion of the private relationship of the Mulkey's IS hurtful.
I have always been taught that there are three sides to every story. Your side, my side, and the truth. I have no idea everything that went on in this family, but bringing it up on a website with veiled judgments and the display of private pain, only increases the hurt and grief that ALL of them feel. So please, for your sake, for sake of the community, stop it. I respect your grief, now please, respect the grief of all involved.
October 6, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truelove4chas9 (anonymous) says...
Will someone explain the purpose(s) AND benefit(s) of personally attacking those grieving the loss of a loved one? As one of the Charleston 9's mothers has so accurately and simply stated, an immediate family needs no personal invitation to grieve the loss and celebrate the life of their son - to expect or wait otherwise makes many question your true intentions.
The real truth is that no matter what the relation, no matter what the situation, no matter ANYTHING, all of the families have experienced a devastating, sudden, and extreme loss. I feel incredibly sorry for those family and community members who choose to stay angry and fight amongst themselves rather than celebrate the lives of your lost loved one.....it is not about you, it is about their sacrifice.
The Charleston 9 will NEVER be forgotten and will continue to be honored by those who truly loved them and respect their ultimate sacrifice.
October 6, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
granny (anonymous) says...
I do not understand the griping!! Nothing a person can say or do will make June 18, 2007 any worse than it was!! I prayed that night for my own son, and when I saw him, such a relief ran through me, it left me breathless. On top of the relief came the guilt, I knew that, there but for the Grace of God go I!!
We have listened to the general public and officials tell us how bad our hero's are!!! Well Folks; You can't take away from them, they are HERO'S. Don't tarnish this with willful bickering.
There is an old Chinese Proverb, that goes something like this!
" Tis better to remain silent and thought a fool,than to speak and remove all doubt" I am proud to be a Fireman Family Member. I respect you and your life, I expect the same from you. God Bless Our Men and Women, and their families. Isn't what happened June 18, 2007 bad enough?
Granny
October 7, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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