The last week has been filled with some sad emotions as we laid to rest one of our own. I intended to write of our brother Charles Middleton before today but simply needed to find the words. Charlie was one of the first African American firefighters to ever work in the North Charleston Fire Department. He began his career in 1969 and served for 24 years before retiring for health reasons. I would invite you to visit the link of his story at http://www.postandcourier.com/archives/man-stood-strong-as-fire-racism-raged-on/article_a348c163-687c-599c-a8c6-f9adf7f7b33d.html.
But, I want to tell you a different story about Charlie. In 1976, I joined the North Charleston District Fire Department as an Assistant Chief at the age of 26. It was uncommon then to be hired from the “outside” as an officer and it didn’t sit well with everyone. I was excited to be a part of such a great fire department but knew it would take some time to be accepted by my fellow firefighters. I, quite frankly, was a little scared to face my new responsibility unsure of what support I would receive. Well, not long after I began, Charlie told me one day to not worry about it, that things would work out and that he would always “have my back”. That assurance led to a longtime friendship that endured until Charlie’s passing last week.
I could tell many stories about Charlie as he was a larger than life figure who mentored me and many others from his position in the jump seat of a fire engine. You see, Charlie was always a firefighter, always wanted to be a firefighter, and proved many times over that you didn’t need rank or position to be an influence in the lives of others. At his wake last week, many of us who worked with Charlie at the District gathered to pay our respect and to all tell our favorite stories of our life with him. His family asked that he be transported to his final resting place on the back of the District’s old Engine 8. As I rode with him for the last time on the truck, I couldn’t help but think of the time he told me he had my back. Thankfully, last week I was able to have his. Rest in Peace old friend, until we meet again.