KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The Tullahoma Fire Department is encouraging the public to attend its annual Patriot Day Commemoration ceremony which will take place Wednesday, Sept. 11.

For the past 23 years, the Tullahoma Fire Department has hosted the ceremony, which commemorates the 343 New York firefighters, as well as the eight EMTs/paramedics, 60 police officers and the 2,997 civilians, who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony also serves to remember all first responders lost that day or affected by the attacks.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. outside the South Jackson Street fire station. Remarks from Fire Chief Kenneth Pearson, Mayor Lynn Sebourn and City Administrator Jason Quick will be shared, as well as a presentation of the new Patriot Awards for one person from Tullahoma Fire and Police Departments.

The ceremony will also feature the ceremonial ringing of a bell on the historic fire engine in a 3-4-3 pattern, symbolizing the 343 lost firefighters.

Prior to the event, the fire department held its annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Wilkins Stadium at Tullahoma High School Friday, Sept. 6. Photos and coverage of the event will be featured in an upcoming edition of the Tullahoma News.