Planting a red maple to honor 1st responders

More than 50 city and county officials and employees stood in a chilly circle Friday morning while the Lancaster Garden Club planted a red maple tree in honor of first responders.
The ladies of the garden club chose to celebrate Arbor Day by planting the tree at the Public Safety Communications Center on Pageland Highway. Over 200,000 calls each year for law enforcement, EMS and firefighters are handled here.
 “The red maple is a perfect choice to honor first responders,” said Bob Bundy, county council chair. “Life is represented by the green color. The ones we are here to honor protect life.”
The tree turns from green to scarlet red and then gold, Bundy said.
“The red represents fire, blood or heart,” he said. “I think heart is appropriate for this compassionate, close-knit community.”
The gold represents the “golden hour,” Bundy said. “All first responders know about that.”
Half the crowd was made up of first responders. They all nodded in recognition. Care provided in the golden hour, the first hour after victims suffer a traumatic injury, is critical to their survival and recovery.
Those assembled prayed together and sang “God Bless America.”
The 30-minute ceremony will yield a lasting gift to first responders. Many will start their shift by walking past the tree.
The 12-foot-tall skinny and bare tree will spread out and grow to a height between 60 and 90 feet and live for about 100 years.
“We are honored to take part in this and will gladly look after the tree and keep it watered,” said Chris Nunnery, director of public safety communications.
A half dozen 911 operators, including some who had the day off, joined in the celebration.
Twelve-year veteran operator Colby Carter looked around at the crowd before speaking.
“This means everything to us,” she said. “Every day we have someone’s life in our hands and we do all we can to help them.”
“This tree is a small token for what you do,” said Carolyn Tolson, Lancaster Garden Club president. “We appreciate what you do.”
Lancaster Garden Club members Janesta Williams and Cecile Flanders co-chaired the Arbor Day committee.
Marshall Thompson and Ronnie Hinson from Resolute Forest Products planted the tree and spread mulch around the base.






Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152