CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville Fire Rescue hosted their annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Wednesday at Fire Station No. 1 on Main St. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
More than 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.
Those honored in the ceremony 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 family members placed flowers near the photos.
Former 101st Fort Campbell Garrison Commander, Colonel (Retired) Rob Salome, was the guest speaker and said this about those who serve. “Between Fort Campbell and the amazing first responders in this city and this county, we have no shortage of those who are willing to run towards things that most people run away from, and we rest easy because of that,” said Salome.
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and Clarksville Fire Chief Freddie Montgomery also briefly spoke at the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, close to 100 firefighters took part in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Repeatedly Running up and down the four story structure, Clarksville Fire Rescue firefighters picked a name of one of the 343 firefighters or first responders who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, announced their name and rang a bell in remembrance of those who died.
The honor guard at the ceremony was represented by members of Clarksville Fire Rescue, Clarksville Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Campbell Fire Department and Hopkinsville Fire Department.