Nine Heroes Die In Charleston

I was just reading the story of the tragic death's of nine firefighters in the city of Charleston, South Carolina last night.

A spokesman for the Charleston Fire Department said that a fire had broken out at about 7 p.m. Monday in the Sofa Super Store and warehouse, and firefighter's had responded and rescued to employees of the Super Store.

The firefighter's were fighting to get the fire under control when the roof collapsed and killed the nine firefighter's inside the building.

President Bush spoke briefly about the tragedy today and expressed his sadness in the wake of the deaths of these brave, committed firefighter's. He commended them for their skills and courage and honored them as hereos for saving the two people inside the building.

Charleston Fire Department Officials identified the victims Tuesday as Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48; Capt. Mike Benke, 49; Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34; Engineer Mark Kelsey, 40; Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, 37; Assistant Engineer Michael French, 27; Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, 56; Firefighter Brandon Thompson, 27, and Firefighter Melven Champaign, 46.

These brave men were members of 237 firefighter's, in 19 companies, for Charleston which has a population of 106,000 people.

This is second worst disaster for firefighter's since the September 11th, 2001, terror attacks against the World Trade Towers in New York City.

I know some people who would not find these men heroes, because as they say, "Those men chose to be firefighter's and put their lives on the line." I know logically that may sound correct, but how can anyone not see the bravery in the very facts of their lives. There are a lot of people who work in dangerous professions, partially to make it better for others and maybe for some there is a "satisfaction in doing risky work and surviving..enjoying the living on the edge, aspect of the job."

Whatever the reasons that they do this work, it is for us to give them the respect that they earn everytime they respond to an emergency, which can end their lives.

For me I think these men are heroes and hope that this will bring some comfort to the families. These firefighter's did save two innocents trapped inside a burning building, and who among us, if we were in the same situation would not want heroic firefighter's coming to our assistance.

May God Bless them and bring their souls into his presence, where they can dwell in peace, forever.

Heroes