The City of Smithville holding a 9/11 remembrance ceremony Thursday to honor local heroes.
Smithville Mayor Josh Miller said he wants to have the ceremony because it is a great chance to recognize people in emergency services. Miller said the ceremony will also honor military veterans, and those who lost their lives. Miller said it will serve as a time of remembrance.
“It’s just a day that of course will forever be engraved in your mind,” Miller said. “I think that it;s a day that everybody will remember where, you know, they knew where they were at, what they were doing on September 11, 2001.”
Miller said there is a new generation coming up that might be too young to remember the 9/11 attacks. Miller said it is important for them to understand and never forget what happened on that day.
“I’ve got four kids myself,” Miller said. “That’s just something that we’ve always just tried to teach them and instill in them the importance of this day. It’s just something I think we always need to remember.”
The Smithville 9/11 Ceremony will take place Thursday at 12 pm. It will be held at Evins Park behind Smithville City Hall.
Miller said he wanted to honor the first responders because they are vital to Smithville.
“It’s not just police officers and firemen,” Miller said. “It’s 911 communications and rescue squads and you know, EMT. Everybody plays a major role, so we’re just wanting to honor those that protect us every day.”
Miller said the ceremony will be brief, and Tennessee Tech Professor Dr. Derrick Edwards will be speaking. Edwards teaches counseling and psychology, and he is the chaplain for the Putnam County Fire Department.
The DeKalb County High School Band will attend the ceremony to play the National Anthem. State Representative Michael Hale will also be speaking at the event.