(Irmo) -- Governor David M. Beasley today honored South Carolina firefighters who battled recent blazes in Florida, declaring today "Palmetto Fire Brigade Day" in honor of the firefighters and their families.
 "South Carolina is so proud of you," the Governor told about 100 firefighters. "Because of your efforts, lives were saved, homes spared. And you made a bad situation a lot better for a lot of people."
 The ceremony at the Irmo Fire Department station honored 112 firefighters from across the state, as well as 176 Forestry Commission firefighters and six operations officials with the Emergency Preparedness Division. The Governor officially designated the group as the "Palmetto Fire Brigade." Because of work schedules, not all firefighters could attend.
 All the firefighters will soon receive Certificates of Appreciation from the Governor.
 Governor Beasley praised not only the firefighters themselves, but their families, who had to sacrifice in order to help the people of Florida.  "They represent what's best about South Carolina," the Governor said.
 He also praised the National Guard, Adjutant General Stan Spears, and the Department of Transportation, for their efforts to help.
 At today's ceremony, the Governor read an e-mail from a man in Ormond Beach, Fla., who wrote the Governor to express his thanks for the job South Carolina firefighters did.
 The e-mail read in part: "I've long held the State of South Carolina in high regard, and you can be assured I think even more highly of its people now. You all helped save my family's home ... a fact for which I'll be grateful until my dying breath. And should you need my help in the future, I'll be there doing whatever it is that I can. That's a promise from one Southern Boy to another."
 ####
Note: Attached is a copy of the e-mail sent to the Governor. Mr. Williams has given permission for it to be released.
BROADCASTERS: An actuality will be available on PressBox soon.