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Monday, May 18, 2009 8:16 AM Aycock site honors those who came to the rescue By Antonio Velarde | Times Staff Writer FREMONT -- On the night of Jan. 24, 2008, a fire was set at the original 1840s family farmhouse at the Charles B. Aycock Historic Site, damaging the home's parlor and a handful of artifacts. Sunday, the state and community came together to honor the firefighters and law enforcement officers who came to the rescue that night. Members of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources and N.C. Historic Sites, along with area businesses and commuity groups, honored the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the Antioch, Fremont and Pikeville Pleasant Grove volunteer fire departments with a barbecue luncheon and awards ceremony. During the event, Linda Carlisle, secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, told the firefighters and law enforcement officers that their work helped preserve a piece of history that future generations will enjoy. "It made a difference for our past, but more important, it made a difference for our future," Carlisle said of their actions. She said Gov. Bev Perdue recently signed a proclamation honoring the firefighters and law enforcement that aided in putting out the fire and capturing the men believed to be responsible for the blaze. One man, James Dean Suggs, was found guilty of arson and sentenced to five to seven years in prison. A second suspect continues to await trial. Accepting awards on behalf of their fire departments were Durwood Smith, chief of the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department; Danny Tillman, chief of the Fremont Volunteer Fire Department; and Wesley Wooten, chief of the Pikeville Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Accepting awards for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office were Lt. Shawn Harris, Lt. Carl Lancaster and Sgt. Bob Golimowski. Following the meal, and remarks from other dignitaries, a tour was given of the newly opened family farmhouse. The event was sponsored by the Tri-County Electrical Membership Corp., Dean Whitley Insurance, Edgerton Accounting of Pikeville, the Fremont High School Class of 1959 and the Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace Advisory Committee. avelarde@wilsontimes.com | 265-7868 |
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