Option A:Take a look around Flickr and discover an interesting image to write a blog entry about.
When I was exploring the "mapping" feature on flicker I looked at our grand city of Charleston and came across a few pictures, one of which reminded me of the events of June 18th's fire. I then did a search for the "Charleston 9" and it pulled up several pictures. All of which brought back memories and feelings I have been dealing with since then. This Picture encompasses all of those feelings.
My husband Todd was there that night. The feelings I had worrying for him and our friends. Once footage started playing on the news channels, every time I saw one of our close friends I couldn't help but say a prayer that they were still safe and that they would remain that way. My heart went out to them. I didn't sleep that night. When Todd finally came home late the next morning, he was changed. The exhaustion, and the burden of loosing men he thought of as family was etched on his face.
When I was told who was lost my heart broke. I either knew them personally, had been introduced to them at one point, or had heard of them in conversations previously. I can't even begin to convey how I felt then or the emotion that wells up now as I look at these photos.
Bottom left is a picture of the blaze in progress. The thought that they didn't know what was yet to happen is my first feeling. Top left is the exhaustion and beginning realization. Top right brings back my memories of the Memorial service. My first thought that Friday morning when I first walked into the auditorium was that it felt unreal. Then as we sat there, it sank in. Who they were, how they lived, who we lost.
Bottom right is the procession of fire trucks. Every day Todd had to report to the parking lot of the Citadel mall. That is where they organized the trucks for the processions. I was only able to make it to one of the funerals. Melvin Champagnes. He went through training with my husband and was his relief for about a year.
When Todd and I arrived to Citadel mall the day of Melvins Funeral. I was touched by the fact that Chick-a-filet's owner was out there supplying EVERYONE with breakfast. Completely free and out of appreciation for the men and their families.
I was told of the story that the night of the fire, he was at the scene and that he along with the help of some others went back and opened one of their stores so they could make sandwiches for all the firemen and rescue workers their that night. I was also told of Pizza stores supplying food for the men as well. And other local businesses pitching in. I was in aww of how the community seemed to have come together.
When it was time, we loaded the buses that were to follow behind the trucks. As we pulled out in the procession, we crossed over Sam Rittenburg Boulevard, past Quadrangle shopping center to Hwy 17. We took a left and I knew we would be passing by the remnants of the Sofa Super Store. When we passed by, I could not hold back my tears.
As we continued along people came out from businesses, stopped their cars in the road and got out, saluted, waved or just stood their in awww. It helped knowing that most people felt some degree of emotion and that it wasn't just us.
But there were those people that stayed in their cars talking on their cell phones and impatiently sped around those that had stopped. Those are the people that don't car until it's them, and when it is, it won't be good enough.
User name Ladybug1016 is the creator of the above picture. I think she did a wonderful job.
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