Firehouse.com senior writer Susan Nicol Kyle is attending the Memorial Service at the North Charleston Coliseum for the nine bravest killed in the Charleston Fire. The following is her live report:
12:20 -- This concludes our live covereage.
12:15 -- The families are walking through lines of personnel. One firefighter stops in the aisle to hug a woman. Both are crying.
12:23 -- Outside are the engines from each firefighters' station.
12:21 -- Grieving family members are holding onto each other as they walk.
12:19 -- The caskets are moving toward the hearses which will take them back to the funeral homes...a sea of firefighters line the streets and sidewalks watching them pass.
12:18 -- The caskets are gone. The fallen heroes' portraits remain. Each is lighted again when their family begins to leave.
12:16 -- Personnel are leaving the upper sections to get outside for the sea of blue. The family procession continues. Many wiping tears.
12:14 -- The families are now filing out.
12:13 -- All now salute or hands ovwer hearts as caskets leave.
.12:12 -- Personnel along the sides are filing out as the caskets wait in the center aisle. Some continue to salute.
12:11 --The caskets making their way down the center aisle
12:10 -- The families of the fallen are turned to watch the firefighters march out.
12:09 -- The families of the fallen are turned to watch the firefighters march out.
12:08 -- Orchestra playing softly as people file out.
12:06 -- People want to remember this day. Flashes are flashing as people capture photos of firefighters marching out.
12:04 -- Charleston personnel are begining to march out three abreast. The sounds of pipes and drums fading as they leave the building.
12:03 -- Pipers piping America the Beautiful as they lead procession out.
11:58 -- The benediction. The Reverand Jimmy Gallant III.
11:57 -- The FDNY Emerald Society is playing Amazing Grace. Many attendees are taking pictures.
11:52 -- Crowd rises as names of fallen are read. The fire bell is rung....series of five chimes. Taps are played.
11:51 -- Despite the movement, the silence continues.
11:50 -- Some have left their seats in the auditorium. However, the majority of uiformed personnel remain standing.
11:45 -- Monsignor Joseph Roth is speaking. 'They gave the greatest sacrifice so we might be here in peace." "What they have given....is the last possible once of a precious life." "Whenever we hear a firebell...may we remember these men."
11:38 -- Musical interlude..."How Great Thou Art"....Seacoast Church Choir.
11:37 -- Despite losing on of their own Thursday, many FDNY personnel are here to honor their brothers.
11:34 -- "All gave some...Some gave all.... these nine gave all." Chief Thomas received a standing ovation when he finished.
11:24 -- There was applause when the chief mentioned firefighter Champaign
11:23 -- As Chief Rusty speaks about one of his firefighters, the spotlight shines on their picture
11:20 -- The chief's stories about each firefighter are bringing a myriad of emotions, laughter and tears.
11:20 -- The Chief is saying something special, and often humourous, about each of the fallen.
11:18 -- Red Cross volunteers are handing out bottles of water.
11:15 -- Chief Rusty Thomas is now speaking. Nearly 200 people are standing in a plazas outside in the hot sun, watching on a giant screen.
11:14 -- Some are sitting on the steps to upper levels listening to the service.
11:11 -- Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff is now speaking.
11:08 -- A musical interlude "Angels Among Us"....people are singing along. Some are swaying to music, while others are wiping their faces.
11:00 -- South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is now memorializing the fallen firefighters.
10:59 -- A passing jet has been the only noise heard since the mayor started discussing the events of that horrible night.
10:52 -- As the mayor praises Chief Rusty Thomas, heads are nodding.
10:49 -- The crowd includes many law enforcement officers and rangers.
10:47 -- Uniformed personnel are standing five rows deep along the sides of main floor. There are a few empty seats, but not many.
10:43 -- Mayor Joseph Riley speaking....thanking all for putting together this service. Every one of the Charleston firefighters can attend as others around the country came to fill shifts and relieve them.
10:42 -- Prayers offered.
10:38 -- Three singers now perform the National Anthem....many saluting...hands over hearts.
10:37 -- Hundreds of personnel from around world now filing in filling seats. Their numbers are so large, spilling out into hall. They are standing 4 deep.
10:35 -- The grief for some is audible....very hard to hold back.
10:30: -- There are so many family members.
10:25 -- The helmet of each fallen is placed on the coffin as the family files by.
10:20 -- Huge photos of the firefighters are positioned at each coffin as their family enters, a spotlight shines on their pictures.
10:18 -- The Charleston Symphony orchestra is playing.
10:15 -- Each family group is proceeded by a firefighter carrying a helmet.
10:10 -- There seems to be so many children.
10:05 -- Family members are escorted by firefighters.
10:04 -- Each Charleston firefighter passes the coffins and are now followed onto the floor by families of the fallen.
10:03 -- There is a slow beat of drum as pipers march out passing by coffins.
10:00 -- Proceedings have begun...an honor guard ....bag pipes are leading the procession into the hall.... the large band of Charleston firefighters.
9:52 -- Outside more than 200 fire engines, ladders and other apparatus of every make, model and color draped in black bunting paraded through downtown.
9:50 --An orchestra positioned to the left of the stage has been performing while thousands of people take their seats.
9:45 -- Nine uniformed Charleston firefighters are marching down the main isle of the coliseum each carrying a helmet. Nine flag draped coffins are positioned in the front of the coliseum.
