Sofa Super Store remembrance
Community to pay respects in quiet, solemn memorial for 9 Charleston firefighters who died in 2007 blaze
As the midday sun beat down Wednesday, a trio of somber men trudged across a soggy, open field clutching bundles of crisp, new American flags in their hands.
The Post and Courier
Gerald Mishoe (from left), Richie Denninger and Chris Wells of the Charleston Firefighters Support Team place flags marking the locations where nine Charleston firefighters lost their lives fighting the Sofa Super Store blaze in June 2007.
Speaking few words, they moved through the freshly cut grass to deposit the flags in nine holders staked in the soil. Nine flags, each marking the spot where a man died.
The community will come together today to mark the second anniversary of the Sofa Super Store blaze that killed nine Charleston firefighters on June 18, 2007. An open memorial, from 7 to 10 p.m., will be the first time the general public has been allowed onto the site at 1807 Savannah Highway since the fire.
Firefighters, city parks workers and others labored Wednesday to ready the site for what is expected to be a solemn, muted memorial. Workers erected a tent, trimmed the grass, spruced up markers for the nine men and hauled in other amenities. They wanted it to be just right, leaving nothing to chance. The weight of their activities was not lost upon them.
"We all know what happened on this site," said Kenny Lewis, a parks worker. "We know a lot of guys died trying to save others. It's tragic."
The firefighters died battling a trash fire that raced inside the massive furniture outlet and exploded into a rolling inferno. Flames chewed through the building, the air turned black and the roof collapsed. The blaze was the nation's deadliest firefighting tragedy since Sept. 11, 2001.
If you go
The North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center will suspend its general admission fees today for the second anniversary of the Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston firefighters. The museum is at 4975 Centre Pointe Drive in North Charleston.
Battalion Chief Ricky Shriver was among those who returned to the site to help with preparations. He volunteered for the task, even though it roils his emotions every time he sets foot on the property.
"It's rough, but it's got to be done," he said, pursing his lips. "We will never forget our guys. Not as long as I have a breath left in my body."
Dan Young, acting captain of Engine 11, understands. He too was at the fire that night and lost friends. Still, he and his crew showed up Wednesday morning to help. "It's something that has to be done. You pay your respects to great people," he said.
Passing firetrucks and police cars honked their horns in support as they drove by. A few residents waved, as well. The crews kept on working, tending to their tasks and remembering the dead.
Tonight's ceremony will be a low-key affair, allowing people to offer remembrances in their own fashion. Firefighters and families of the fallen will have an hour of private time at the site before the gates open to the public. No speeches or presentations are planned. Fire Chief Thomas Carr will simply read the names of the nine men and a fire bell will ring for each. A quintet will play solemn selections during the event.
In our special section with photos, videos, interactives, donation information and every story written about the tragedy.
Mayor Joe Riley, a fixture at last year's memorial, is out of town and won't be attending, officials said. Riley visited the site on his own Tuesday night and laid roses at each spot where a fireman died.
No one is sure just how many people will show up for the memorial. Some firefighters are adamant about attending; others find it too hard to go back to the site. It will be up to them to choose. As for the public, its anyone's guess.
Gerald Mishoe, who heads the Charleston Firefighter Support Team, hopes to see a large turnout. The various investigations, lawsuits and debates surrounding the sofa store fire have at times obscured the sacrifice that was made, as well as the story of a fire department that has stood strong in the face of adversity, he said. Visiting the site brings everything into perspective, he said.
"I hope people will come. Standing on this ground is a very powerful, moving experience," Mishoe said. "I think if people can come, be part of this and stand here, they will have a much better understanding of what this is all about, what the Fire Department has been through and what the families have been through."
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
FamilyThatKnowsTheTruth (anonymous) says...
"We all know what happened on this site," "We know a lot of guys died trying to save others, it's tragic." That is the problem, that is "not" what occurred at this site. It is the deception that the City has put out to hide the "Real truth and real reasons for these deaths and destruction of families and property." The City will soon have to step up to the plate because it will be called out back to the SSS site and the "spin" will be "spun' for the last time.
"It's rough"? really, where was the proper training for these men all these years? It was the City's way and it will be fully exposed and all those who led to these good men's deaths will be held accountable in criminal court.
This two year memorial date is the date where the accountability phase goes into full gear. It is time for the complete truth to be exposed to the firefighters, the fire service, the citizens and the families. No more piece-meal City spun info, just the correct facts for a change.
It is not and will not be pretty and the truth will hurt many but it must come forward. It is a shame that this occurred in this fire dept and in our city but it would be a greater shame if it is allowed to happen again anywhere in America. People must be held accountable for this most stupid incident, period, as long as "We have a breath left in our body." Who says so?, I do, Randy Hutchinson
June 18, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TLG87 (anonymous) says...
Never forgotten. RIP.
June 18, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ccfirefighterchick (anonymous) says...
Never forget, boys! Nine great men died. Nine families are left with a void that will never be filled. A fire department and a city still grieve over this loss. It is something that will never go away.
Hopefully, through the grieving process, lessons have been learned and will be acted upon. Hopefully, these men did not die in vain. Always remember the sacrifice that was made by these nine wonderful men.
June 18, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
frenchsmom (anonymous) says...
PLEASE put your vendetta aside and let today be what it is meant to be - REMEMBERING NINE BRAVE MEN, THEIR LOYALTY AND THEIR SACRIFICE NEVER FORGET THE CHARLESTON 9 !!!!!!
June 18, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ckc (anonymous) says...
Not news
June 18, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
retiredcityffwife (anonymous) says...
We will all always remember what happened that night. The News & Courier and the city continue to put a spin on the fire that is was a trash fire that went out of control. What was out of control was the lack of proper training and equipment. Our men were led into a situation that should have never taken place. This is not a vendetta, it is the truth. The truth will prevail and healing will only happen when everyone knows this.
June 18, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tharris55 (anonymous) says...
I know this sounds cruel
I am tired of hearing about the Charleston 9. We mourned their loss and prayed for their loved ones. MOVE ON P&C
Please understand that I am an actual human with feelings too
*Terry
June 18, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KnowAllSeeAll (anonymous) says...
As a close friend of one of the fallen fire fighters I have to say I am just glad hey are being honored and remembered. It is very unfortunate that this happened at all and what ever will be disclosed and discovered in the future will be but today and every June 18th in the future should be their day to be honored and remembered, save the rest for a day that's not their day, fight it out later not today!!!!! Thank everyone who remembers all of these brave men and never lets their memories die. To our couragous men you will never be forgotten!!!
June 18, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
st (anonymous) says...
The nine are being used by the politicians who just want to look good to the voters. Maybe it's time to report about all the other people you have died in the last two years.
June 18, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
9 BROTHERS REST " IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!" Melvin Champaign, time: 19:32:43, Date: 6-18-07,
June 18, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
MY DEAR BROTHERS! We will never forget your sacrifice!
It was one that did not have to be made to change a broken system! Were you forgotten that day? Who had your back? Where were those who you trusted to get you out? Who trained you to not think but to follow?
" If you are outside a building that is burning, you are not doing your job." I want Captains that will grab a booster and run inside and put out the fire." " It is my way or the highway!" If you can not hack it get your jacket." " Books do not put out fires." " I have a computer on my desk, but I do not use it." " these uniforms look good" Tell them what they want to hear, not the truth"
WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE? Who hired the Chief with only a high school education? Who allowed him to lead men by intimidation? Who's fault was it that the CFD was 30 years behind national excepted standards?
TODAY WE REMEMBER NINE MEN WHO DID NOT HAVE TO DIE! HEROES? BROTHERS, SONS, FATHERS, TRUE MEN OF HONOR FOR SURE!
YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND UNTIL SOMEONE IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOU DEATHS, WE, THOSE WHO KNOW THE TRUTH, WILL NEVER REST!
June 18, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UberBlitzkrieg (anonymous) says...
Randy Hutchinson is living a pipe dream. There will be no criminal trial over this. Maybe civil, but criminal... no. The training was bad, the equipment was bad, the accountability was bad, it was all bad. Stupidity - YES, criminal negligence - NO.
You need to move on with the current administration and do what it takes to get the job done there and quit bashing the old one. Thomas is done and gone. Remember your brother by honoring him on this day. Holding hatred for a man that grew up in the same system your brother did will solve nothing.
June 18, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Artemis (anonymous) says...
RIP
June 18, 2009 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
There is no hate! Only questions! Honor Rusty? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 9 men died because of incompetence! If a officer in the armed services led 9 men into a situation that they had never been prepared for because lack of training and knowlege, they would have been held to the highest standards of accountability! WHY SHOULD NOT RUSTY THOMAS AND JOE RILEY BE HELD TO THE SAME HIGH STANDARD?
Men died because of incompetence and ignorance! FORGET? MOVE ON? THAT IS WHAT THE GOOD OLD BOY SYSTEM WANTS!
NEVER FORGET THAT THESE MEN DID NOT HAVE TO DIE THAT DAY!
June 18, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
great post bumpersticker....
June 18, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinagal (anonymous) says...
Great post Bumpersticker.....RIP Chas 9
too bad Riley cant be there... not
June 18, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
bumpersticker! We knew! We spoke! We were called disgruntled employees, trouble makes, smart asses! Some of us fought for 25 years or more to make them see that there was a better way. That my friend is why we will never forget and never let this die, because we did know! This will not die, like these men, just because some good old boys says to drop it.
Yes we hate the fact that we did not do more! Yes we beat ourselves up every time we think about our brothers d being killed that day! Do not tell us what we saw or what we fought for because we were there. Had it been one of us I can promise you these men would have fought to bring out the truth!
NEVER FORGET THESE NINE MENS SACRIFICE! They died, unfortunately, to make sure this type of leadership was exposed. Change happened! AT WHAT COST? WAS IT WORTH IT?
NO! NO!NO!
June 18, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FamilyThatKnowsTheTruth (anonymous) says...
Everyone and anyone can celebrate today or any other day anyway they wish. It's called America and in America everyone has an opinion or whatever you might wish to call it. One may call it a pipe dream, vendetta, anger, greed or ignorance. We just seem to think that accountability is the next logical step in line. We have not filed any civil suits and only seek the truth.
Time frames for the prosecutor's are still dictating movement on criminal charges, not too much to do with our time frame. If one is tired of hearing about this SSS incident and the past command, one might want to shut off their computer and TV. I assume everyone here did come to this blog on their own.
Most people do not and did not have a clue as to why this happened. We have been around for over (35) years and we understand the deal. Do most of you know? I doubt most of you understand the complete picture. It is easy to see who understands in the comments. So why are we all on this blog? is the question to be answered and it will be.
June 18, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smokinhot (anonymous) says...
Everyone wants to point fingers and place the blame. Was the employee who tossed a lit cigarette into a trash can ever held accountable? Sounds like involuntary manslaughter to me.
June 18, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cu_sc (anonymous) says...
I agree - where is the accountability for the person that started the fire. I don't recall them ever coming out and stating the fact, but I do recall there being strong implications that the fire was started from a cigarette.
My thoughts are with the families of the fallen 9 along with the families of anyone that has ever lost a loved one in the line of duty.
June 18, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chief9902 (anonymous) says...
I was in Charleston in mid-May for a short vacation/pilgramage to visit the SSS site along with other notable sites in this great city. It was emotional being there and was glad to see the building was gone but the flags and crosses standing tall. The thought of a new fire station being built on the site is not what I consider a good use for the property, a memorial park to these great hero's is my vote.
While not trying to Monday morning quarterback the commander of the fire, I do hope that adequate funding, staffing and training is high on the new chief's list.
May the family and friends of these men know that the entire fire service in this country is praying for them and remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
June 18, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChasCarolinaGirl (anonymous) says...
I want to say that this was a tragedy but I dont even know if 9-11 gets this much attention.
I agree that the politicians are using this as a bandwagon and it has just become very old. Not news any longer.
Posted by BumperSticker and felt it needed to be posted once again. I could not agree more:
"What bothers me the most are the people riding this ban wagon, families that took large amounts of public donated money and the sued for more, and the people fighting over the money. people who act like they care, when up until that day they didn't give a crap about a fireman or anything about these 9 men. Now they were everyone's best friend."
We need to move on and stop pointing fingers ... Just need to learn from it.
June 18, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChasCarolinaGirl (anonymous) says...
Okay, say that someone did accidentally start the fire. Ive not heard that rumor but not saying it didn't happen. It has already happened, learn from it and move on ....
June 18, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
so all the problems have been fixed?
June 18, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Freespeach (anonymous) says...
Stop using the City Administration as a "scapegoat", I agree with the others...if the problems with equipment and training were such a hazard it should have been brought up a long time ago. Made public with any means necessary. I know if it were me or my loved one and I knew of the issue I would have made sure the entire world knew of the problems if that is what it took.
The City Fire Department lost 10 good men on that day, yes 10. The 9 souls that were lost in the fire as well as Rusty Thomas. I will stand behind Rusty as long as need be.
June 18, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FamilyThatKnowsTheTruth (anonymous) says...
Bumpersticker, I thought you had all of the answers. It seems that you do not. Freespeach, go ahead and stand by your man. People just like you is why we have 9-dead men today. The command of Rusty Thomas and the City of Charleston were approached about these concerns over the years and men and groups of men were shot down every time.
We have nine dead men and almost lost many more and you still defend this man and the city and do not appear to know the facts. So keep on defending and we will keep on the path of accountability. Time will tell the truth and as always some people will still never understand it when it is served to them on a platter. Randy Hutchinson, who are you?
June 18, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Freespeach (anonymous) says...
Family,
You were obviously a firefighter with the City or had family that was...and you were aware of the problems with the administration?
Why then, if the problems that were there, were not acknowledged by the City or Rusty did you not take it further than them. There is always a higher up ie., newspaper, news, any kind of media outlet. There are always people like you trying to put the gov't down for one reason or another so seems to me they would have jumped on the band wagon of the "disgruntled employee" if they had a legitimate gripe.
Furthermore, why didn't you leave? If Charleston is so far behind then that means there are other places more advanced so you would think you would strive to be in one of the "better" places.
I agree that some things are on the "Good Ole Boy" system but do not think Rusty nor the Mayor would have put the entire Fire Department at risk for it. Come on!!
Again I will stand by Rusty and I think the City lost a valuable member and a GREAT guy!
June 18, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
If you do nothing to solve the problem, you are the problem....
Great post Bumpersticker
June 18, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
The difference between those who knew and did what we could and you ,who did not know are, I sleep every night knowing I did the best I could. We were transferred, not promoted and given the slack companies. We had families and stood our ground because we loved our choose profession and hope upon hope that things would change. You would not believe how many time those of us that were half way through our careers heard the old timers say " Rusty Thomas is going to kill someone". A lot of us went outside the department to learn and were told we do not do it that way here. We were told it has worked this way for the last 50 years, we will not change. Our way works. How can you get to news agencies that are controlled by Joe Riley, King JOE! It was not until this happened that they started to listen and report. Yes it was too late to save nine men. does that mean we should slap Rusty on the back and say you did a good job, it was not your fault you sent men into a trap that any educated Chief would have know was filled with highly flammable materials. Not a room and contents and with NO Water! NO Water! Simply put you must have water to put out fire, not bodies! Simple equation, for every BTU put out there must be enough gallons per minute of water to make it go out. DID RUTY UNDERSTAND THIS BASIC FIREFIGHTING EQUATION? NINE MEN DEAD SAYS HE DID NOT.
So go ahead and defend an idiot. His incompidence killed nine men. FORGET? We who understand basic truths will never forget and it is our right!
June 18, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
These issues were brought to the attention of the City and the press. The IAFF documented in a written letter sent in 2004 that the CFD was not following national excepted standards. Was it ever reported on? No Joe did not want it made public. Also the uniform issue was brought up in 1997 at which time we were told that it was more important to look good than our safety. I guess no one tried to make changes and hell yes we are at fault for not loosing our jobs and staying to try and make changes. If you do not change the top the rest can not follow/ did Rusty know he was not following national excepted standard? Hell yes! "But this is Charleston we do not do it that way here, no one has died yet" We heard them all, re read the statement made earlier in my post. He said them all!
A Leader? No! Remember ( men are dead to prove the Charleston way of firefighting under Rusty Thomas did not work. read the NIOSH report and the Routley report. they point totally to lack of training and leadership. I do not have to explain any more, I am tired and sick nine of my brothers were sacrificed because of ignorance. If you do not want to believe it that is your chose, not mine. I know that god understands and will judge on facts not because Rusty was a good guy!
June 18, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CarolinaEMSgirl (anonymous) says...
Please, everyone remember that today is about honoring the 9 brave firefighters that gave their lives to save others. These men dedicated their lives to help all of YOU! I work EMS and I'm here to tell you, our wonderful firefighters not only risk their lives everyday to fight fire and save you, they also are there when you or maybe even your grandmother has a heart attack or stroke. ever think of that?? with only two of us to an ambulance, sometimes we cant do our jobs without these wonderful men and women. many times they volunteer their time to help others. that was the case with a few of the men that died on june 18, 2007. SO, TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT, QUIT LISTENING. BECAUSE I WILL NEVER FORGET! Oh Yeah, by the way, you might want to show all of our firefighters some appreciation. most likely, some day you will need them. weather if be for a fire, or a medical emergency.
And I want to tell all of you firefighters out there, THANK YOU!!!
June 18, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
Not trying to sound harsh, BUT if everyone else knew so much more than the Chief and still went into this situation, part of the blame must fall on the indivuals who knew better. If they knew there was no water, why did they go in? At some point you must realize that if there was truly as much corruption and dismissal of better ways to do things, and you still chose to stay, then you are still part of the problem. I am an engineer and I can tell you right now if I worked for a company that was putting out designs that put people at risk, I would not stick around just to hang on to a job. I have more self respect than that. If you chose to allow yourself to be shuffled around and swept under the rug while holding on to your comfortable job, then you are the one who has to live with that and you seem to be having some trouble doing that. You are placing blame on everyone else, yet refusing to admit that you put the comfort of a familiar job ahead of the lives of yourself and your fellow firefighters. I can assure that there are media outlets that would have listened to you. If the local media shoots you down, you go higher. If you really felt the way that you say you felt, you should have done something about. you should not have rested until you got someone, somewhere to listen. You are just as much, if not more responsible than the people you are blaming. I haven't heard the former chief say that he knew a better way. Suck it up and admit that you chose to do nothing and it cost you dearly.
June 18, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FamilyThatKnowsTheTruth (anonymous) says...
Bumpersticker, please tell me what money I am suppose to go and count. I have spent money and several thousand hours researching this fire for two years. try about $100k of my time plus out of pocket expenses. I do not want money, I want accountability for these nine men.
Do you really think that I am about the money? You do not know much about my mom or I. Just the truth will work for us and it appears that you do not have a clue. Maybe you should take your own advice to me and come back when you grow up. Thank God Rusty is gone!!! He still has a trip to make but he is away from the CFD.
We are solving the problem, what are you clowns really doing besides sucking up to Rusty and the City? Suck on that for awhile and try to write something that contains facts. By the way, post your names boys and girls. Who are you all hiding from? Mr. Truth. Look here, I have to go now so I can attend a memorial service where your friends killed my brother. Hope you all have had a good day playing with fire.
Randy Hutchinson
June 18, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
I went to fix breakfast this morning and we were out of bacon. Tragedy is everywhere.
June 18, 2009 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
taxedstupid (anonymous) says...
Bumpersticker said...
I heard, and this may only be a rumor, the employee that was saved from the fire was the employee that took a smoke break before returning to his office in the warehouse. I heard he started the fire he was saved from that killed the 9. i forget who that guy was but i would like to know if he smoked or not at the time of the fire. any one have any info on that?
That smoking employee is no more to blame than a gun is to blame for a shooting or robery. The burning trash fire should have been an insignificant event.
The day after this fire there was a similar fire in Florida that was extinguished by the sprinkler system in a building that met the building codes and was constructed and maintained by a properly licensed contractor who abided by the building standards. The owner of that store was more interested in abiding by the codes than being ten dollars cheaper on a sofa or chair.That store had a fire department that responded to the fire by the established proceedure like they were trained and taught by keeping up with the latest trends and information. That FD had the latest and best equipment. The fire department was not hindered by a water department that penalized property owners by rapeing them with bogus impact fees where there was no impact
THAT FIRE DID NOT KILL OR INJURE A SINGLE SOUL.
The next day the business was back up and paying taxes to support the FD so they could be trained in what not to do by studing Charleston FD and this tragedy.
Charges should and may well be filed for prosecution of the following:
The owner
The contractor
The water department
Any city employee that failed to do their job (esp if the good ole boy program was in effect)
As far as the guy smoking a cig and it starting the fire; he is totally innocent...just like the gun!
Now with that said, can we just honor the intent of the guys who died in the line of DUTY. Duty is a sublime word that supercedes any misgivings one has about the outcome and it is not a firefighters job to come out of a fire...only to go in!!
June 18, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robeweise (anonymous) says...
"I heard, and this may only be a rumor, the employee that was saved from the fire was the employee that took a smoke break before returning to his office in the warehouse. I heard he started the fire he was saved from that killed the 9. i forget who that guy was but i would like to know if he smoked or not at the time of the fire. any one have any info on that?"
That's a horrible thing to say without knowing the facts. My wife has been friends with Johnny and his wife for years and no, neither one of them smoke. This is how rumors get started and it could ruin someone's life.
June 18, 2009 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCBorn1 (anonymous) says...
CarolinaEMSgirl....Thanks for all you do!
June 18, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fyrefighter273 (anonymous) says...
It is a shame some folks are so full of issues they want to lash out at those who have lost the most. The same people probably want the military to go and hide, get rid of those ugly planes. Some folks are the ultimate armchair quarterbacks, in the horse racing business they are called also ran's,in the airborne we called them legs, bikers call them wanna bes. It is easy to defend. Bulldog, from that name I assume USMC or the Citadel, if I am true tell me if you ever had incompitent leadership? (I did) The mission is first and foremost then complain or regroup. What did it take to get a commander releved? Rest in peace brothers, you earned it. Watch over us as we fight what so many fear.
June 18, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bootlicked (anonymous) says...
I cannot believe after all of the facts have been laid out for all to see someone smart enough to blog on a computer isn't smart enough to comprehend that gross negligence was what lead to my friends deaths. I did quit the CFD because of the good ol' boy bull$^$# but not before speaking my piece. It seems cotton-eyed- joe has forgotten. OH HELL YEAH I HAVE A VENDETTA!!!!!!! I AM HERE TO HONOR THE NINE BECAUSE I PERSONALLY KNEW MOST OF THEM WOULD HAVE WANTED SOMEONE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR GETTING THEM KILLED!!!!!!!!!!!! R.I.P. brothers we haven't forgotten. Those responsible will be reminded again shortly !!! If you work in a bad neighborhood and you get robbed , is it your fault ? You people make me sick. Cops responding to a call gets killed, is it the callers fault ? I guess you in a way are saying it is the nines fault because they knew Rusty was an idiot and their jobs were dangerous ? FU..............................!!!!!
June 18, 2009 at 10:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FamilyThatKnowsTheTruth (anonymous) says...
Bumpersticker, you were off the road earlier today. It took heavy pressure on the mayor to relieve the chief (11) months after the SSS loss. How well do you think some groups or individuals were treated when they spoke out? Get the picture? I am not angry to the point where it bothers me, several others and I are "on it." I was responding also to two other people besides you. We are moving forward at the pace that the accountability system can be moved forward.
Our attention is directed where it is suppose to be until people like some here start talking about things that they have not researched to the hilt and pass bad information along the way about what they "think." One can think what one wants to think but one is at risk when one prints it when others know better. If you support accountability 100% then you are back on the road with us. We are on the road to Justice for these nine men. What road is everyone else on?
June 18, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nickl (anonymous) says...
I have known Rusty Thomas my entire life. He's a great man. Hardly stupid. It was tragic what happened. I know that and will never forget that. Quit blaming a man that lived his life for CFD. Most of you didn't see how this tore him up. I saw him several months after the fire and he was not the same man I remembered. The Charelston 9 will always be remembered. It's part of our history now in Charleston. And yes Randy Hutchinson, I'll post my name, because I proudly stand behind Rusty. Anybody that knows him would stand behind him because we know how much the fire dept., those nine, and even your sorry a**, meant to him. You say that the firefighters weren't trained. Then they shouldn't have been firefighters. I don't blame them. What happened was something that comes with the job. Anybody tha tputs on a uniform to protect others understands that. I served in the military in combat, and fought in situations that I hadn't been specifically trained for. You can't train for every possibility. And yes men died. But I don't blame the officers or the lack of training. It's what comes with our job.
-Nick Long
June 18, 2009 at 11:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FamilyThatKnowsTheTruth (anonymous) says...
Sorry Nick, I am so glad you have sat me down and got me straight. You must be right and I am an idiot, but not your life-long buddy, but I and many others who know the truth and have documented facts are so wrong. Thanks Nick, we all need more folks like you.
Let me know where you and "the others"go to stick ya'lls head in the sand so I can come over and join all of ya'll sometime. The words, "Hardly stupid," is that something also like "Hardly smart?" Now, I am confused. "All of your life," huh, that says a lot about your judgement of what was suppose to be a fire service chief.
Nick, have you ever heard of Incident Command? Do not feel bad, your buddy knew very little about it also. Accountability and just blaming people are two different things. Nick, I am trying to figure this out, you are blaming me, I just want accountability for the Nine men and you do not want us to seek that option because you like others, do not want to hear the whole pitiful truth about your buddy. Sorry Nick, the whole incident sucks for many people including your buddy but the truth is coming hard and soon and it does not look good for your friend and others. Stand by your man, it's O'K with me. Nick, Thanks mostly for being a man, a soldier and signing your name. Randy Hutchinson
June 19, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
Hardly stupid! I like that! Says a lot about Your friend Nick! Your friend, as a person, is a great guy! As a leader he lack a lot of basic leadership skills. He was a micro- manager. He trusted no one to help him understand the things he could not comprehend. As Randy has said, he could not comprehend incident command, basic for any fire department or military to function as designed. You say you saw combat? I am sure they did not send you there with out training on basic skills required to do the job. Yes, things happen in battle and you must have at lest basic knowlege of tactic to survive. These men lack a lot of basic knowlege because Rusty believed it had worked one way fine for 50 years and anything new was not good. I can not fault him here completely because the apple does not fall far from the tree. Rusty only understood what his DADDY had taught him. Good son! Poor father! If you knew him your hole life then you no the old man only had one son,Rusty, and one daughter, Jan.
As Mr. Hutchinson stated, TRUTH AND FACT due not lie! People do! In the end the fact so far point to lack of leadership, poor training, and a poor command structure.
I would like to just poise this question to any of you who stand behind your friend, Rusty Thomas,Are the two reports released so far on the SSS fire wrong? Are these fire experts wrong in their assessment of the department and it's leadership?
Stay with the facts and truth! They are written down now! If you can dispute those finding with written proof that they are wrong, then your friend has been wrongly accused of neglect. Willful neglect! This is the point that will have to be proven and right now all facts and truths point to this conculsion!
Stand by you buddy, he will need you more than ever!
June 19, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FamilyThatKnowsTheTruth (anonymous) says...
Nick, I forgot to ask, why did you call me a sorry-a**? I did not mean anything to your ole friend until he dusted off my brother and eight other good men. Now I am a bad guy, a sorry-a**? Grow up Nick, we are are not little boys here.
Your buddy only cares about himself. He doesn't care about you or me. He still tells people at his uniform shop that he did nothing wrong that day or any other day that he was chief. In fact, he has blamed it all on the mayor for not letting him run the dept the way he wanted to run it. People like you believe him because he is a "good guy." He told people that his men were too stupid to learn how to lay LDH. You will hear it all in the coming year.
Nick, if he did nothing wrong, why did he not come to the memorial last night to share his time with his "Nine Best Friends?" This guy was a cheerleader, not a leader. If you do not believe me, call his brother. His brother knows the truth and his brother gets it.
Nick, we are soon to enter the big league concerning your friend. You might want to step slightly to the side about the friendship thing and try to learn and listen about the truth and facts. Then you can make a more precise statement. The facts are not pretty and yes, the truth is going to be rough for a lot of people. You should educate yourself on this subject before calling people names. Your friend, Randy "sorry-a**" Hutchinson
June 19, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bootlicked (anonymous) says...
First off Nick just because you like someone does not mean that they are qualified to run a fire dept. Second I've known him most of my life and even as a young kid hunting with him and as a brand new firefighter I thought he was a little on the simple side if you know what I mean. His position was given to him not earned because of his knowledge. This is why he is going to pay for his incompetence. He chose to boast about being the best but didn't ever even come close. He wasn't even a good fireman or engineer or Capt. from what I've been told from my dad and others. With his chosen profession comes responsabilities of which he didn't care to learn. He liked nepotism and blind followers. I know he must like you blind follower. His nine best friends died and I haven't heard of anyone seeing him last night. Huh ?
June 19, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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