Chevrolet Fireball Run brings search for missing children to North Charleston

The largest active recovery effort for missing and exploited children in the country arrived in North Charleston, SC as part of the Fireball Run’s Race to Recover America’s Missing Children.

The 2011 Chevrolet Fireball Run, themed “Southern Excursion” includes over 40 teams competing in a 2,500 mile, eight day adventure.  Each team of the race is assigned a child from their home region along with thousands of posters to distribute along the route. A decal featuring the child is affixed to the vehicle, creating a rolling milk carton. To date, the effort has assisted in the recovery of 36 missing children.

Competitors in the Run include NASCAR Driver Geoff Bodine, NASA Shuttle Astronaut Winston Scott and Actor/Activist Kevyn Major Howard. Fans can watch live on FireballRun.com/LIVE; this year audiences can scan QR codes on the GPS-equipped cars for info and prizes.

The teams drive a fleet of exotic vehicles, which includes an Angel-1, a specially designed 2011 Chevrolet Camaro dedicated to the more than 1,000 first responders who lost their lives on 9/11 and since Sept. 11. The fleet also includes famous vehicles featured in movies and TV series.

Woodmen of the World flag pole dedication ceremony

The Woodmen of the World erected a flag pole at the Gary McJunkin Community Center in North Charleston, SC in honor and remembrance of the heroes and victims in the fight against terrorism and to celebrate the enduring spirit of all Americans.

Malcolm C. Hursey Elementary School students sang patriotic music at the ceremony.

Gadsden flag raised to protest state rail plan

On Thursday, June 9, 2011, North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey was joined by City Council Members in placing the Gadsden Flag atop the South Carolina State Flag in protest of the State’s ongoing plan to place an intermodal rail facility on the former Navy Base with northern rail access.

Mayor Summey discusses the flag on 1250 WTMA with Rocky D.

The historical flag was designed and named after American General Christopher Gadsden, a South Carolina statesman during the American Revolution.  It has a bright yellow field and a depiction of a coiled, ready to strike, rattlesnake with “DONT TREAD ON ME” text beneath.

Benjamin Franklin published an essay in the Pennsylvania Journal in December 1775, in which he stated of the symbolism of the snake:

She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.  As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal.

Mayor Summey explains the decision to switch the flags:

Just as with the American colonist, we are defending ourselves from a larger state, not standing idly by and allowing the quality of life of the citizens of North Charleston to be treaded upon.  The State struck first when it confiscated land on the former navy base through eminent domain and purchased other tracts with the clear intent of dishonoring previous agreements between itself and the City of North Charleston.  

Demagoguery has been used, painting the City as anti-port, anti-rail, and anti-business.  Since incorporating in 1972, North Charleston has been a staunch proponent of each.  We are home to vast and expanding port activities, location of all Lowcountry intermodal rail facilities, and the industrial and manufacturing epicenter of the State of South Carolina. 

For over two years we have shaken our rattles, but at this point we intend to strike back in court.  Our current course will only be altered if the State honors its written commitments.  We will not remain defenseless as our citizens’ rights are trampled.