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West Carroll Gives Back

Posted

ATWOOD (February 18) — A series of recent events propelled West Carroll’s School District to plan and initiate a dinner for the local first responders in the area. Those events included the tragic fire that took the lives of three recent West Carroll alumni and a wreck in McLemoresville that left five Carroll County teens injured. It was noted West Carroll graduates worked the fire that took the lives of Ashley Barlow, Dakota Cook, and Caitlin Cook earlier this month.
So last Monday night, a dinner themed “West Carroll Gives Back” was held at West Carroll Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria with approximately 125-150 attending. Several first responder groups were represented including the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Andy Dickson with several deputies attended, members of different Carroll County Fire Departments attended, Atwood Fire Department, Baptist Hospital EMS, Carroll County Rescue Squad, Carroll County Emergency Management Agency, Vanderbilt Life Flight and Air Evac helicopters literally dropped in for dinner, and members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Principal Tim Stratton welcomed everyone to the dinner that was catered by Hot Daddy’s Barbeque and Cajun Bistro. Stratton said, “This is a meal to honor those who give their lives, their time and sacrifice to others. We hope to make this an annual event.”
West Carroll School Board Chairman William Robinson also spoke and told the first responders, “We really appreciate what you do for our community.”
Approximately 30 West Carroll students from several of the school groups and clubs came and assisted as servers for the event.
As people were finishing their dinners, McLemoresville Mayor Phil Williams spoke to the crowd, “I always enjoy seeing our three communities come together like this for a good cause.” He read “The Fireman’s Prayer” and told first responders it applied to all of them.


Fireman’s Prayer
(Author Unknown)
When I am called to duty, God...
Wherever flames may rage...
Give me the strength
to save some life...
Whatever be its age...
Help me embrace a little child...

Before it is too late...
Or save an older person from...
The horror of that fate...
Enable me to be alert...
And hear the weakest shout...
And quickly and eff
ciently to put the fire out...
I want to fill my calling and...
To give the best in me...
To guard my every neig
bor and protect his property...
And if according to your will...
I have to give my life...
Please bless with
your protecting hand...
My children and my wife.

Fireman, West Carroll, School, First Responders