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TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE FIREFIGHTER EARLE B. WILSON, JR. OF DARLINGTON COUNTY FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIS CAREER AND COMMUNITY AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL FIFTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE DARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Whereas, it is with great pride that the House of Representatives honors those South Carolinians who courageously give of themselves in protecting our neighbors, families, and friends; and
Whereas, Earle B. Wilson, Jr. is certainly one such individual, as his life stands as a testament to the good that can be done by one man in the lives of countless others; and
Whereas, a Darlington native, Mr. Wilson was born to be a firefighter, as he joined his father, Captain of the Darlington Fire Department, and neighbor, Fire Chief Franke Drake, as an eight-year-old boy when the alarms alerted them to respond to home fires; and
Whereas, working without gas masks, helmets, and other modern protective devices, Earle Wilson began his own career as a firefighter in 1951, facing the flames to save lives and livelihoods; and
Whereas, throughout his fifty-five years of service to the Darlington Fire Department, Mr. Wilson has seen great changes in firefighting equipment and methods, including fire-retardant gear, air packs, state-of-the-art communication equipment, and equipment to detect heat and natural and propane gas; and
Whereas, Mr. Wilson bravely fought in the Park Terrace Hotel fire in November 1968; and
Whereas, though he no longer fights fires himself, he continues to give of his time and talents by keeping mandatory records that must be filed after the department responds to a fire; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives is proud to recognize such an outstanding individual for his steadfast love and commitment to his career and community. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, honor and recognize firefighter Earle B. Wilson, Jr. of Darlington County for his outstanding contributions to his career and community, and commend him for his exceptional fifty-five years of service to the Darlington Fire Department.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Earle B. Wilson, Jr.
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