News 12 @ 11 o'clock -- January 3, 2009

GRANITEVILLE, SC -- As songs of praise filled Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church; many gathered to remember those lost in the tragic Graniteville chlorine spill of 2005.

"We really appreciate it and it just uplifts my heart that they would do this in remembrance of the nine victims," said Lillian Miles.

Lillian Miles' brother Allen Frazier was one of nine who died. He was working at Avondale Mills, right next to the railroad tracks when the accident happened.

"It seems like it's not real. I still think about him a lot. I have my bad days and I have my good days, but I know God is awesome and he's going to take care of us," said Lillian.

Fire Chief Phil Napier and his firefighters worked around the clock to help the hundreds of victims. He says if it wasn't for one of trains engineers, he could've been killed by the deadly gas too.

"Chris saved my life because I would have most probably, if he had not been there drove right down to the train and I possibly could've been a victim," said Chief Phil Napier.

But through all the tragedy and sorrow, these family members are using this vigil to shed light on the nine they don't want to be forgotten.

"He's my rock, he was my rock and I'll always remember him," said Lillian.

And along with the eight other families, Lillian will continue to honor loved ones lost.

"They are the heroes. The nine victims are the heroes," said Lillian.

This year's ceremony was dedicated in memory of the former Aiken County Public Information Officer Lt. Michael Frank.
Families say they wanted to honor the man who really worked to keep them informed about what was happening.
They say he worked to make sure they knew what was going on and they felt dedicating the ceremony to him was the proper way to do that.