Those nine brave men. The world will show its respect and solidarity

[Stinky The Clown]

From a local Charleston newspaper's website

"Nine brave, heroic, courageous firefighters of the city of Charleston have perished fighting fire in a most courageous and fearless manner, carrying out their duties," Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said. "These people will never be forgotten."

The fallen were Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48; Capt. Mike Benke, 49; Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34; engineer Mark Kelsey, 40; engineer Brad Baity, 37; assistant engineer Michael "Frenchie" French, 27; firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, 56; firefighter Brandon Thompson, 27; and firefighter Melvin Champaign, 46.

http://www.theeagle.com/stories/062007/nation_20070620021.php

I heard on the news today that there would be an initial memorial service today and that the larger, more formal service will be on Friday.

Sometimes we feel anger so deep our body has a physical reaction. But for me, the most visceral emotion is sadness mixed with awe. It literally makes my chest and 'heart' hurt.

These guys are the epitome of altruistic public servants. Little opportunity for personal power trips or the taking of bribes, they live a sort of monastic, communal life while on duty, ready to respond to all manner of distressful events.

When they fall, the reverence and majesty of the memorial service is perhaps unequaled. Contingents of their fellow fire fighters converge on the city where it happens. Not just from across the sate or the rgionm, but literally, from across the globe. At their own expense. Simply to pay tribute to fallen brothers and sisters.

And the wail of the bagpipe.

Danny Boy

[Radio_Lady]

1. Thank you for your heartfelt sentiment. I always associate bagpipers with

funerals. When I heard them in Scotland last month, even when the piper was playing upbeat tunes, I still thoought of their sad message for the living. Someone, somewhere, has fallen and will not be coming back.

[ORDagnabbit]

2. absolutely no disrespect at all but i do have a question

were they saving people or items?

Everything I read says nobody was in the building so if there were no people in the building why were they in there? Couldnt they just fight it from the outside?

sorry if the question offends I really mean it without rancor or anything just really curious.

[Not Me]

3. Thanks for asking what I have been thinking about.

I haven't seen any account that mentions that there were any people known to have been inside.
How very sad.

[SoCalDem]

6. I heard that two employees were inside.. n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

7. No disrespect taken ......

... the question has already been asked here .... with rancor. I don't take your question that way.

Yes, there was a person in the building. They saved him. They also knew there were at least three other employees working at that time, so who knows what they did with that information.

My dad was a volunteer firefighter where he worked and also when he lived in a small town that still had some volunteers. I trained to be one in the Navy but never followed through (very much beyond the firefighting training every sailor gets).

Anyway ... sidetrack there ......

I see nothing wrong with saving property. It what most firefighting actually does. Its a big reason why we pay for firefighting with our taxes. Its why, not many years ago, when firefighting was purely by subscription, we paid to be members. Some seem to think that if it is just property, why bother risking your life? Well, the fact is, no fire company intentionally takes undue risk to save a trash shed. But the nature of fire is that things can change in a heartbeat. Literally.

[rubberducky]

8. Same question here. Why.....

were they in there?? Did someone order them in there?? They are truely and uniquely heroes. They deserve our respect for thier selfless service. Such a sad loss for that community. It will take the town a very long time to heal. Unfortunately the extended families of the firefighters will live with this loss daily.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

4. Thank You. They Are Brave Heroes And This Was Terribly Sad. God Bless Their Families And

all the other brave men and women who put their lives on the line each day.

[SoCalDem]

5. Y'know what pisses me off ??

That a FURNITURE warehouse would not be REQUIRED to have a sprinkler system..

Glue, chemically treated fabrics..wood..you name it.. and no sprinklers??

Shame on the governmental agency that passed on the law that was no doubt offered to make that requirement a done deal!!!

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Yeah, you're right .......

But even if the face of that ..... they go in while others rush out.

Every time.