CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Clarksville Fire Rescue held their annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Tuesday at the Main Fire Station on Main St. It was the 17th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
Over 250 people attended the ceremony which remembered fallen firefighters, law enforcement. first responders and emergency personnel lost in the 9/11 attack. As is done each year three local fallen firefighters were also remembered in the ceremony which featured a tribute speech, placement of a memorial wreath, memorial bell ringing and the playing of taps.
Honored were Firefighter Claude Walker who died in 1960, Captain George Wilson who lost his life in 1967 and Engineer Ray Harrison who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1981. Photos of the three men were placed at the base of the firefighter statue and flowers were placed near the photos.
Speaking to the crowd Clarksville Fire Rescue Chief Michael Roberts talked about remembering the victims of 9/11. “We honor the victims of 9/11 today with our memories, we honor them with our ceremonies, our country honors them with our 17-year war on terror,” Roberts said.
Roberts added the victims are also honored with the sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families with their unending deployments. Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan and Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett also spoke at the ceremony.
The honor guard at the ceremony was represented by members of Clarksville Fire Rescue, Clarksville Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Campbell Fire Department. The National Anthem and other vocal selections were performed by the Clarksville Academy Choir.