FROM THE DESK OF: Remember All in Uniform on Memorial Day

You’re at the lake. You’re at the beach. You’re firing up the grill and slowly cooking some form of pork, chicken, beef, or seafood. You’re surrounded by family and friends. You’re trying to explain to your kids why they get a long weekend even though this is the last week of school and they’ll only go half days when you send them back. You’re enjoying Memorial Day weekend.

As great as all of those things are, we need to take a deep breath and remember what Memorial Day is actually about…and how it’s changed over the past 11 years.

Historically, Memorial Day has recognized the men and women of the United States armed forces who gave their lives in defense of our country, but since September 11, 2001, that meaning has changed.

Should it change? Should it expand those it remembers? Yes.

We take time to remember those in uniform who gave their lives to protect our nation. That no longer applies only to armed forces.

Thinking about September 11, 2001 as the planes hit the Twin Towers, we had a different type of protective force defending the American people and our homeland – a force that isn’t thought about as frequently.

Of the personnel who scrambled to save as many as possible in the two 110 story skyscrapers, the FDNY lost 343, NYPD lost 23, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey lost 37.

An Upstate fire department hopes to have its World Trade Center Memorial Plaza open by July 4, but it’s $5000 short of completing the project.

With a section of beam from one of the Twin Towers as the plaza’s focal point, the Boiling Springs Fire District in Greenville County is asking for the community’s help to finish the project.

Starting as an idea only four years ago, it grew to a full-blown $100,000 concept that is coming to fruition without the use of tax dollars thanks to financial and in-kind donations from area corporate partners and local residents.

As Fire Marshal Jeff Nelson told WYFF’s Kim Quintero on Friday, “It means something different to each individual who comes.”

Boiling Springs Fire District is accepting donations to complete its World Trade Center Memorial Plaza. They can be sent to Boiling Springs Fire District (5020 Pelham Rd

Greenville, SC 29615-5717) with checks made payable to “BSFD/WTC Memorial” or directly through your local BB&T bank branch to the account “BSFD/WTC Memorial.”

When you fire up your grill or head to the lake or beach, take time to remember the men and women who made the day possible – those who put on a uniform to maintain our freedom and safety both at home and abroad.