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Fallen Firefighters Mourned

Thousands attend SC ceremony for 9 killed in blaze

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Jun 22, 2007 4:24 PM CDT

(Newser) – Thousands of firefighters from across the country gathered today for a memorial ceremony honoring their nine colleagues who died Monday battling a blaze in Charleston, SC. Their chief shared humorous stories about the men, adding a personal touch to a formal affair. A column of firetrucks snaked through the streets before the service, and bagpipes wailed inside the overflowing arena.

The crowd of more than 9,000 included political bigwigs like Rudy Giuliani, but the spotlight was on the men, aged 27 to 56, whose death represented the greatest loss of firefighters in a single event since 9/11. Said one firefighter who drove from Virginia: "When we lose one, it affects us all." The cause of the fire remains unknown.

[Images (7)]

[Videos (1)]

Pall bearers enter a memorial service with the flag-draped caskets of nine fire fighters in Charleston, S.C., Friday, June 22, 2007. The nine firemen were killed Monday battling a blaze at a furniture... (Associated Press)

Charleston Fire Department Chief Rusty Thomas hugs Chaplain Jimmy Gallant before the start of the procession in downtown Charleston, S.C. Friday June 22, 2007. (AP Photo/The Post and Courier, Mic Smith) (Associated Press)

Members of the Charleston Fire Department form up to march into the North Charleston Coliseum, on Friday, June 22, 2007, to remember their nine colleagues who were killed battling a blaze at a furniture... (Associated Press)

A firefighter pours water on burning tires in Las Vegas, Wednesday, June 20, 2007. Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said nearly 100 firefighters were dispatched to tackle the blaze that... (Associated Press)

An honor guard stands at attention by a row of nine caskets prior to the memorial service in North Charleston, SC on Friday, June 22, 2007 for the nine firefighters killed in a blaze in Charleston last... (Associated Press)

A firefighter covers his badge with a black band before a memorial service for nine firefighters in Charleston, S.C., Friday, June 22, 2007. The nine firemen were killed Monday battling a blaze at a furniture... (Associated Press)

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Fallen Firefighters Mourned