Firefighters shown appreciation

Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain recognized firefighters for life-saving medical care given to her son Roderick Fountain following a Nov. 13 shooting in the parking lot of Holly Market in Holly Springs.

In a prelude to the pinning ceremony, Fountain remarked about why she chose this way to thank the firefighters whom she credits with saving the life of her son, who had an artery damaged, lost copious amounts of blood and survived the ordeal because of the rapid response of first responders.

The fire station is located next door to Holly Market, which afforded an immediate response.

“I just want to take this opportunity,” Fountain said. “The background to the Nov. 13 shooting in Holly Springs. So many times we tell people how much we appreciate them, or how they’ve impacted our lives. Giving them their flowers after they are gone.

“Well, it’s time to start giving people their flowers while they live and tell them how much we appreciate them while they can hear it and inspire them to do better and to elevate in any way we can.

“It’s easy to tear down, but it is easier to build it up.”

Fountain asked firefighters who assisted in giving medical help on the scene to come forward.

“They are members of the fire department,” she said. “Often they put out fires and often people say, ‘well, that’s their job.’

“They were the first responders that day and they came and helped save a young man’s life that had been shot with damage to a main artery. Some of you know in the medical profession, it doesn’t take long to bleed out.

“On that day, they showed professionalism. They were speedy. They were concerned and they were focused. They helped save this young man’s life. And he’s a resident of Holly Springs and he’s the son of me.”

Fountain asked the firefighters who responded to the shooting to come forward and be pinned and “let them know I really thank them.”

“Thank you for your service, your professionalism. We are going to pin them tonight. The pin represents saving a life. As a person in law enforcement, we go home

thinking maybe we did a great job today. Maybe we saved someone’s life. But this is a definite life that you saved.

“We want to pin this on your uniform hoping your uniform will be filled with pins of the many lives you save in the future. Thank you for saving my son, not just anybody. My son Kendrick Fountain. He’s a blessing to me. And as an alderman and as a resident of Holly Springs and as a mother, I want to show my appreciation and maybe Chief Crane can tell us a little bit about it.”

Crane said the red and white pin represents life.

“As these guys move forward in life, move up in their careers, we don’t look for recognition for anyone at any time because that’s a job that you all pay us to do. And we are going to do to the best of our ability, but taking recognition at this moment is real welcomed.”

Firefighters pinned by Fountain included Capt. Leron Weeks, Broderick Robinson, Lt. Shane McMillen, and James Williams. Not present, but also receiving pins, are O’Neil Wilkins, Johnathan Woods, Travain Jeffries and Allen Hall, who were at work

Mayor Sharon Gipson thanked Crane and Fountain for the recognition ceremony.

“We hope he (Kendrick Fountain) continues to recover,” she said.