Legion Celebrating Responders 9/11

Cookeville’s American Legion Post 46 will celebrate local responders Wednesday.

Event Coordinator Richard Buford said they will be giving certificates to emergency personnel as a way to honor their service to the community. Buford said he hopes the event will encourage people to remember the importance of 9/11 and the sacrifices that have been made to protect this nation.

“We want our emergency personnel (to) know we know they’re on the front line,” Buford said. “We know they’re there to protect our community and to assist our citizens just like our veterans that have answered the call in the past to serve our nation and protect our nation.”

Buford said there will be speakers and local school groups performing patriotic songs at the event. Buford said it starts at 10:00am in the Veterans Memorial Building at 90 East Spring Street and will be open to the public.

“We’re going to appreciate all our first responders,” Buford said. “Every man and woman who’s served our community. But specific write-ups have been accomplished on certain police officers and emergency personnel.”

Buford said September 11 is also referred to as Patriot’s Day in reference to those who gave their lives and continue to serve their communities and nation.

“We believe our police officers, our firefighters, and our EMTs are patriots that protect the lives of our community and help our citizens every day,” Buford said.

Buford said they have been hosting this event in Cookeville for the past three years.

“It has affected our way of life in this country,” Buford said. “But we want everyone to remember and we want to remember the thousands that lost their lives on 9/11. And for our generation, this is our Pearl Harbor, so we wish not to forget it and know we need to support our troops, our sailors, and our airmen who are serving our country now.”