State to honor Hemingway's Tanner for public service

By: John Sweeney | SCNow
Published: November 25, 2009

HEMINGWAY— Herbert Tanner, recently honored by the town of Hemingway for his 70 years of service with its fire department, will appear before the General Assembly early next year for his legacy of exemplary public service.

“We want them to understand what it is about to be a civic leader, without compensation,” state Sen. Yancey McGill, D-Kingstree, said while presenting Tanner with an award on behalf of the state senate. “If they paid you a stipend, there is no way they could pay you for the love and compassion you have given Hemingway.”

The seasoned 90-year-old firefighter has had a busy fall. In October, Hemingway Town Council honored him by declaring Oct. 8 Herbert Tanner Day and proclaiming that the fire station be renamed in his honor.

His social schedule doesn’t show signs of slowing down any time soon.

McGill said he plans to introduce Tanner to both the Senate and the House in either January or February.

“You are a legacy in Hemingway,” the senator told Tanner. “And I can tell you your standards and your principles and your values and your honesty, they will always stand above others, but will stand most as a focus for others to follow.”

Tanner has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a member of the Hemingway Fire Department. After joining the department in 1939, he would go on to serve as fire chief for 25 years, eventually yielding those duties to the current chief and town councilman George Sutton.

“I do appreciate this a whole lot,” Tanner said. “I love people and (if) anybody’s in trouble I’ll always try to help them out in any way that I can ... I love the town and I’ve always (done) everything I can to make the town better ... I really appreciate this a lot more than I can say.”

McGill said Tanner’s legacy may extend far beyond Hemingway, and even Williamsburg County. The senator said he wasn’t aware of another public servant in the entire state who has served as long as the Tanner.

“A legacy has been established in Hemingway,” McGill said. “For years to come, all the firemen, policemen, all those who serve in public service, they will look up to Mr. Herbert Tanner.”

— The (Hemingway) Observer Editor John Sweeney can be reached at (843) 558-3323.