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Memorial Service for South Carolina Firefighters

Aired June 22, 2007 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: At the top of the hour, 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Welcome back, everyone, to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Tony Harris in Atlanta.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you, everyone. I'm Heidi Collins in Charleston, South Carolina.

We are outside the coliseum here where in just a few minutes we believe that the memorial service for the nine fallen firefighters from Monday evening's tragic fire will begin. We see many people in their seats already. We have just seen most of the family members arrive at the front of the coliseum and escorted in as they walked through that very, very emotional shoulder to shoulder honor guard, members of the honor guard from all over the country lining up as sort of an escort to get them from curbside all the way into the coliseum where they will be seated.

We also understand several dignitaries, of course, are there already. They will be seeing a very emotional tribute to the firefighters. We've learned that there will be video shown of the fire and of the firefighters outside, trying to console one another after the bodies were brought out from that furniture store.

I can't imagine, Tony, that there will be anyone who is able to hold back their tears, hold back their emotions. You see the video that we're looking at now. I don't think I can begin to count the number of American flags and the people waving them. Now this is the procession earlier today where we believe there were probably about 150 engines from all over the country coming here, ultimately ending up at the coliseum to take part in this memorial service.

HARRIS: And imagine that as a career choice. My job, my career, my task in life is going to be to rush into harm's way into burning buildings and try to save people and try to put out the fire and save whatever we can of the structure and the surrounding structures as well. That is what I choose to do. And for that work, I know that when I leave on each and every call, it might be my last.

Heidi, I know how you work. I can't imagine that you're there in Charleston and that you haven't stopped by to take a look at the scene of this tragedy. So what did you see?

COLLINS: Well, we did. We went there last night. And, you know, it was pretty late at night, Tony, but there was still such a presence. In fact, we came upon Engine 11 that was still there. That was the first engine to respond to the fire. And as you come upon this scene, all of the lights are still running and the firefighters were inside the engine and the sea of people, fellow firefighters coming from so many different companies, so many different houses across this country, to walk up to that engine and just shake their hands and to offer them some sort of comfort, was really, really something.

And, of course, the memorial that has been put out front of the furniture store is absolutely breathtaking as well. There are pictures, there are flowers, there are small dalmatian dogs that we all know to be a tradition on these fire trucks. So it was pretty tough.

But, you know, you've had a chance to talk with the firefighters and they say they do it because they love it. And they'll continue to do it.

HARRIS: Yes. Hey, I'm sort of curious as to how the ceremony will actually play out today. I know you've been -- and at times we've been treated to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra playing during the processional. But I know that there are a number of speaker who were going to offer their comments and provide some comfort to the family members. How is this going to play out this hour, Heidi?

COLLINS: Right. Well, as we are looking at the live shot now inside the coliseum, we do see that very emotional shot of the caskets now all lined up at the base of the stage in front of their family members and their fellow firefighters. That is the first time that we have seen that. So what I believe will happen very, very shortly, because I no longer actually hear the orchestra playing, there will be the presentation of colors, which will be done by the Charleston Fire Department honor guard. There will also be the Fire Department of New York, the pipe and drum corps, the National Anthem, the invocation by Chaplain Rob Dewey (ph), who we spoke with just moments ago.

And what a tough job he has, as well, talking with all of these family members. He says he knew all of the firefighters as well.

And I do hear some voices behind me, Tony, so I just want to be quiet for a moment to see what we might be able to hear.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the entire state of South Carolina, we extend our heartfelt thanks for the tremendous outpouring of support you have shown in this time of tragedy. This morning we are here, united as one, to honor these nine individuals who will forever be remembered as serving others with dignity and dedication and who paid the supreme sacrifice.

At this time, we will honor the families. And as the families process in, we will sing the National Anthem and have the invocation.

(MEMORIAL SERVICE PROCESSION)

COLLINS: We are now getting a look inside the North Charleston Coliseum, as we continue to see family members go and take their seats. Just before the caskets that have now been laid out at the base of the stage, that you can see, of the nine firefighters who lost their lives on Monday night here in Charleston, South Carolina. We've been listening to the beautiful sounds of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. As this proceeds, we have seen the presentation of the colors, of course, by the Charleston Fire Department honor guard. We've been listening to the Emerald Society, the fire department of New York pipe and drums.

And shortly, I believe, when everyone gets seated, we will hear the National Anthem, and an invocation as well by Chaplain Rob Dewey, who we spoke with moments ago here on CNN, and also more words of comfort from the governor of South Carolina, the mayor of Charleston city, and everyone will be waiting to hear the most emotional words, without a doubt, I am certain of that, from the Charleston city fire chief, Rusty Thomas, who will be speaking towards the end of the ceremony here.

Let's continue to watch as more family members and fire department officials take their seats inside the coliseum.

(MEMORIAL SERVICE PROCESSION)

COLLINS: As we continue to look at the pictures live inside the North Charleston Coliseum, we bring you a little bit more detail about what you're seeing here.

At half past the hour now. I'm Heidi Collins live outside the coliseum, watching this incredibly emotional picture as the family members go past the caskets of their loved ones. You can see, as you see now, a spotlight that shines on the photo of the firefighter who that family lost. It has been something that's been going on for the past 20 minutes or so as those family members continue into the coliseum to take their seats for the beginning of the memorial service.

We have already had the presentation of colors. Just all of it just so emotional. People are -- you can see it on their faces when they walk past and when they go inside.

We've also heard the Emerald Society fire department of New York pipe and drums. The National Anthem will be coming shortly.

And just something else to watch for as this continues today. Something that we'll be hearing towards the end of this ceremony called the last alarm. It will be ringing a bell. And what that signifies is years and years ago before there was such a sophisticated alarm system across the country for firefighters to know exactly where to respond to, there was a telegraph system, and there boxes that were placed around the city or town. And if there was a fire, someone would run to that box and ring that bell so that the firefighters would hear it and would know what geographic location to go to begin fighting that fire. So the significance of the last alarm or the last bell that we will hear is exactly that. Sometimes it is rung by hand, which is what we'll see today; other times they actually play the audio of the last alarm that these firefighters responded to on Monday night.

Let's continue to watch now as more and more family members go to take their seats.

(MUSIC)

(SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM)

CHAPLAIN ROB DEWEY, COASTAL CRISIS CHAPLAINCY: Remain standing, let us pray together. Heavenly father, we come to you as your children, needing your arms around us, needing your loving care. We particularly lift up these nine families. Be with them now, we pray, because the only way they examine make is through this time is through you and relying on your spirit. Touch them and hold them up.

We also lift up Chief Rusty and all the personnel of this fire department, and also the fire departments throughout the country that are affected by this. Hold them, Lord, close to your ever-loving presence and your arms.

Let us not stray from you, because it's only in you that we can get through this time. Let us now thank you, Lord, for this time of worship. In grief we know that you meet us, and we need meeting right now. Bring us your peace, the peace that you promise that passes all understanding. In your holy and blessed name, we pray.

Amen.

You may now be seated.

MYR. JOSEPH RILEY, CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: As I begin, I wish to thank all of you who are here, and all of who worked so hard to quickly and wonderfully organize this very important opportunity for all of us to come together today.

I also wish to thank all of the fire departments throughout this region who came to assist Monday night, and the fire departments who are currently manning the city of Charleston's fire stations so that every one of our firefighters can be here with their fallen brethren.

On behalf of the grief-stricken citizens of Charleston, and I know through the telephone calls, and e-mails and letters from around our country, and witness the national representation here today, on behalf of all of those, I wish to express my deepest sympathy, to the families and loved ones of our nine heroes -- Captain Mike Benke, Captain Billy Hutchinson, Captain Louis Mulkey, engineer Brad Baity, engineer Mark Kelsey, assistant engineer Michael French, firefighter Melvin Champaign. Firefighters James Earl Drayton and Firefighter Brandon Thompson. To their families and friends and loved ones, of these dear heroes who died in the line of duty in our city Monday night.

They did what they and every firefighter is prepared to do, every day they put on their badge -- to risk their life and, if necessary, to give their life to make their community safer.

Firefighters charge into dangerous places when the natural human instinct is to flee rapidly. Why? Why do they rush into smoke- filled, intensely burning buildings? Why? To defeat their only enemy, fire, property destroying, injury causing, and yes, death- causing fires, and they do it often, and they're prepared to do it on every call every day, and they do it bravely and successfully. And the stories are always so amazing, seemingly miraculous, they represent acts of heroism every time.

This is not an uncommon story. An apartment fire, carpets and furniture very flammable, black with smoke, on arrival no electricity, the neighbors report there may be someone inside, they're not sure. The firefighters goes in, intense heat, hundreds of degrees, oxygen has been removed completely to fuel the fire. They crawl on their hands and knees in total blackness, feeling, reaching for an arm or a finger, and then they feel a leg, the child is unconscious, swept into the firefighter's arms, they're upstairs. He goes to a window, knocks out the window. The ladder is there, the child is handed to safety. The child lives. And another firefighters goes back in.

Why do they go into burning buildings, people ask? Because their profession and their experienced and their training and their instinct tells them they must. Lives are to be saved, fire to be extinguished before it inflames the building next door or a whole neighborhood. And that was in the minds Monday night of every firefighter at that scene and in the hearts and minds of these nine fallen heroes. It was their calling, it was their training, it was their duty, and unflinchingly, without hesitation, with extreme courage, they did it.

What kind of unusual people were these nine men, and are their fellow firefighters? I'll tell you. They're public servants of the highest order. They want to serve, they want to help, they want to save, and they want to protect. They're humble, so very humble. In award ceremonies every time they will be read an incredible account of the details of courage, the bravery and skill, and the award is given to the firefighter, and then the acceptance response is softly spoken. They appear embarrassed by the attention.

They were only doing what they were trained to do, what they want to do -- to serve, to help people, to do their duty. These nine men and their colleagues are the people who we would want living to us next door, to be our friend, the neighbor you would want your child to know and watch and be inspired by, the kind of person whose simple hello, a wave of hand across the street makes you feel better, their goodness so transferable.

And they serve not just as a firefighter. Because of that quality of service is so central to their being, they serve schools, they serve recreation centers, they serve as football coaches and basketball coaches. They serve churches and neighborhoods, their lives become quiet inspirational models of service, and kindness and good citizenship.

And these nine heroes and their colleagues loved their chief, Rusty Thomas. He is the best, and they knew it, and they were so proud and honored to serve with him.

Rusty Thomas was born in a firefighting family. His father, retired Assistant Chief Russell Thomas was revered in the Charleston Fire Department. I called chief -- retired Chief Russell Thomas Monday night from the scene. I told him, I said, Chief Thomas, I have been watching the best example of leadership I have ever or will ever see.

President Kennedy described courage as grace under pressure, and that's what I watched and Chief Rusty Thomas Monday night. Chief Thomas joined the fire department when he was 18. He was a scholar athlete in high school. He was recruited by colleges, but all he ever wanted to be was a firefighter, and at age 32, he became our chief and led this department to a class one rating. Only 36 departments in all of our country out of 88,000 have this designation.

Rust never leaves town except to see Trey (ph), a junior at Citadel, play baseball. He's usually back that night. He will go to visit Carol, his dear wife's family, a couple of hours away, during the day, a few times during the year. The only time Rusty Thomas leaves Charleston is to go to either Ohio or Wisconsin to pick up a new fire engine, and with his dad, retired Chief Russell Thomas, he personally drives the fire truck back to Charleston. He's on duty all the time.

Chief Thomas, we did not think it was possible for us to love, respect and admire you more, and you've shown that it is.

Monday night, Captain Mike Benke, Captain Billy Hutchinson, Captain Louis Mulkey, engineer Brad Baity, engineer Mark Kelsey, assistant engineer Michael French, firefighter Melvin Champaign, firefighter James Earl Drayton, firefighter Brandon Thompson entered a burning building on Savannah Highway, and while so courageously, bravely, and skillfully, and heroically, fighting a raging fire, were taken from us, and instantly, they entered eternal life where they will, in incomprehensible peace, wait for us.

As they entered that building, they walked into the pages of history of our community. These unassuming, humble, kind and brave men will now and always be historic figures, and we will find ways to honor them. They will never be forgotten. And their service will never end, because they have touched and moved us and made us better.

When they entered that building, they gave us now and those who follow us, local, the person next door's example of how to lead our lives, and we will never be the same. No, we may not be firefighters, but the lessons that will -- even more about life, they gave us -- about courage and duty and service. They inspire us today. They will inspire this community in all the days to come, all the while -- all the while, they are resting in eternal peace.

COLLINS: Words there of comfort from Charleston Mayor Joe Riley. He's been mayor of this city since 1975. Offers a lot for the people who are sitting inside that coliseum, talking about the firefighters, why they do what they do, and how they continue to do this very dangerous job.

We are going to take a very quick break for now. We'll be back right here, in just a moment in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Watching the radar today, good morning, everyone, for Melbourne (ph), trying to see if we can get this shuttle landed this afternoon. 2:18 is the time, it'd be great to do it right now, but the shuttle is on the wrong side of the globe.

As we go on through the rest of the day though, the weather's going to start to go downhill. The weather that's out into the ocean will start to have a boundary through Kennedy Space Center, and by 2:00, and then again 4:00. The next window, we will have showers right there. And they can't land the shuttle through the rain. It gets too hot, and does a lot of bad things to the -- the tiles if you get them wet.

We'll have more coming up, right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Good morning once again, everyone, I'm Heidi Collins, live in Charleston, South Carolina. We are outside the coliseum that you see behind me where the memorial service is going on right now.

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