The Fentress County Fire Department remembers the lives of those lost during the 9/11 attacks at a memorial walk.
Fire Lt. Tyler Arms said Saturday’s walk is a 3.43 miles to honor the 343 firefighters who died in the attacks. Arms said the idea came up a few years ago when some firefighters attended a memorial stair climb in Chattanooga and wanted to bring an event back home.
“There’s a lot of kids that have grown up, and they never really, they weren’t part of 9/11,” Arms said. “And they didn’t see what happened throughout it. So we wanted to make sure to keep that tradition and carry on that memory of those who ultimately paid that ultimate sacrifice on that day.”
The 9/11 Memorial Walk will be Saturday morning at 8 am. Participants will meet at the Fentress County Ag Pavilion on South York Highway.
Arms said the 9/11 attacks, which were the largest on American soil, brought widespread unity to the country. Hw said this is also something to keep in mind when paying tribute to the lost firefighters.
Arms said he did not think the attacks had much impact on Fentress County Fire’s daily operations given the county’s rural nature, but it still puts things into perspective.
“With what we do on a daily basis, every day you put your life on the line,” Arms said. “You lay that risk down to do what you need to do to serve your community and serve the citizens of your area.”
Arms said the event is a show-up and walk event, but there will be a sign up sheet. Arms said people will get cards upon signing in.
“Those cards have a picture, name, rank, and what station that firefighter was from,” Arms said. “So, a lot of times, people will grab five or six cards when they come back in. We’ve got a bell that you’ll ring, and then you’ll read off that firefighter’s name, station and rank to memorialize that firefighter.”
Arms said in years past, the department was able to bring in a guest speaker who was present at 9/11, but they were all tied up this year. He said the walk route is a simple out and back.
Arms said oftentimes, firefighters who participate do so in full gear. Arms said others walk with weighted vests and backpacks.
Arms said the weather for Saturday morning looks great, and he is excited to remember fallen firefighters at the 9/11 walk over the weekend.
