This special production of The Big Picture follows the memorial service for the nine firefighters who died fighting a blaze on the evening of June 18, 2007, at the Charleston Sofa Super Store. This fire was considered the deadliest firefighter disaster in the US since the September 11 attacks. The fire, which started in the loading dock of the furniture store, rapidly spread to the main showroom and warehouse, leading to a catastrophic structural collapse.
Host Libby Wallace talks about the memorial service, which started in the early morning hours with a procession of 150 firetrucks from all over the country, driving through streets lined with supportive onlookers. In all, there were over 3,000 representatives from firehouses all over the country, including Canada.
The New York City Fire Department Emerald City Pipe and Drum Corp headed the procession, as an honor guard accompanied the arrival of the families of the nine firefighters.
After the invocation by Chaplain Rob Dewey, there were remarks by Joe Riley, Mayor of Charleston, Mark Sanford, Governor of SC, and Michael Chertoff, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Fire Chief Russell Thomas, Jr. of the Charleston Fire Department, spoke in loving detail about each of the nine individuals who were not only civic leaders and family members but were cherished members of the close-knit community of the Charleston Fire Department. A variety of hymns were played and sung throughout the service. In closing, the words of the "Fireman's Creed" appeared on a screen and Monsignor Joseph Roth, Chaplain of the Charleston Fire Department offered his prayers and a blessing and Rev. Jimmy Gallant, III whose own son was a Charleston firefighter helping to man the fire station while the memorial service was ongoing. The Honor Guard and Emerald City Pipe and Drum Corps led the body from the coliseum.
