A Tribute To 9 Brave Men in Charleston SC

I was very saddened when I heard that 9 firefighters had perished in a fire in Charleston SC.  Their bravery will live in the hearts of many and I salute them and their fellow fire fighters everywhere.

I was going to do an article about Flat Randy's visit to Charleston SC and probably still will, but a big part for Flat Randy was meeting one of Charleston's fire fighters at the down town fire station. He was so gracious and had heard of Flat Randy's counterpart, Flat Stanley before.  He told us that his nephew had sent a flat figure to him from New Jersey to be photographed for a school project. Well, that is how Flat Randy got started.

I hope and pray that this firefighter was not a victim of Monday night's fire.  I don't remember his name so can't check it against the list of those who perished.

Flat Randy and I salute:

 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.   May they rest in peace.