The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) recently awarded Williamston Fire Chief Steve Ellison the National Society Fire Safety Commendaion Medal.
The award was presented during the National Congress of the Sons of the American Revolution held in Greenville. State Society President Daniel Woodruff nominated Ellison for the award based on the professionalism of the volunteer fire department. Williamston Fire Department ranks in the top 3.7 percent of all volunteer fire departments in the nation.
Woodruff said, “Each chapter within each state society is encouraged to select outstanding persons in public service serving in the fields of Law Enforcement, Fire Safety, and EMS and submit them for consideration of the medals. Qualifications include service above and beyond. Many of these awards recognize, such as with Chief Steve Ellison, service above-and-beyond as well as exemplary prolonged service in his field.”
“The Col. Robert Anderson Chapter, our local chapter, of the SCSSAR felt that Steve Ellison was deserving not only of chapter recognition but of state and/or National as well,” Woodruff said.
Among the nominees from the 19 chapters in South Carolina, the SC Society voted to forward Steve Ellison to the National platform.
“The National Society agreed with the local chapter and decided, especially since our National Congress was being held in Greenville this year, that he was the perfect choice for this National Award for presentation at the Congress in Greenville,” Woodruff said.
“We feel that Steve Ellison stands out not only among other firefighters but as an example of what we as citizens should aspire to be. There is no way that we can truly honor all of Chief Ellison’s accomplishments or his countless hours of volunteerism. He is a fine role-model for our youth and we are proud to recognize him in this small way. The town of Williamston should be proud to have such an outstanding citizen working so tirelessly for them. This is volunteerism at its finest!”
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) is the leading male lineage society that perpetuates the ideals of the war for independence. They are a historical, educational, and patriotic, non-profit organization that holds their Annual Congress in a different state each year. Each host society goes through a lengthy application process to be awarded the honor of hosting the Annual Congress (convention).
“This is the first time that it has been held in South Carolina and it wound up being the largest in SAR history with over 700 attendees,” Woodruff said.
During the congress the society visited three South Carolina Revolutionary War Battlefields; Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and the Star Fort at Ninety-Six. The South Carolina Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SCSSAR) took this opportunity to educate people from across the nation that there were over 400 Revolutionary War battles, skirmishes and actions within its borders. That is more than all of the other states combined.
Having formed on April 18, 1889, this is the 125th Anniversary of the South Carolina Society. The National Society shares this 125th anniversary year but was formed later in 1889.
Although this was the 125th Anniversary of the National Society it was their 124th Congress because the National Society was unable to hold a congress one year during WWII.
