A 9/11 Tribute event will be held in Downtown Cookeville Thursday to remember those lost and honor local first responders.
VFW District Commander Richard Buford said September 11 is now called Patriots Day, serving as a chance to remember the lives lost in the attacks.
“We want to honor our first line defenders, like police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and those people who answer our emergency distress calls,” Buford said. “They are our heroes on our front lines in our country to protect our citizens.”
The 9/11 Tribute will take place at the Veterans Building on Spring Street in Cookeville Thursday morning at 10 am. Buford said the public is welcome to attend the event.
Buford said Congress has designated September 11 as a national day of remembrance. Because of this, Buford said the VFW and American Legion will do their part in honoring those who were lost during the attacks.
Buford said it is important for local veteran organizations to recognize and honor first responders because many veterans take on those careers when they leave the military.
“Many of our families and active duty service members are serving in the war against terrorism today,” Buford said. “Anyone who reads the newspaper and looks in the Middle East knows where we are in the world as conflicts continue. But we honor their patriotism to our country, our flag, and for the freedom of all people in the world/”
Buford said the 9/11 attacks changed the entire country in the way safety is viewed. Buford said a major change came in airports, as many of the modern-day security measures are direct results of 9/11. For Buford, the attacks put things into perspective.
“For many Veterans, we lost friends on 9/11,” Buford said. “I lost personal friends at the Pentagon, and I wish to honor their service, and the memory of these men who served, and their families who still remain behind.”
Buford said Thursday’s tribute will have representatives from state and local government in attendance. Buford said the guest speaker this year will be Putnam County Executive Randy Porter.
In addition, an elementary school choir, a bagpipe player, the Cookeville Honor Guard, and Cookeville Veterans Honor Guard will be in attendance.
