First responders, military personnel to be honored

First responders and active and retired military personnel in Hot Springs and Garland County will be honored with two special events in September.

The Patriots Day First Responders Breakfast will be held at St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church at 6 a.m. Sept. 11. The complimentary breakfast buffet will last until 10 a.m., and there will be a nondenominational prayer service at 7:30 a.m.

"This is a great opportunity for Hot Springs and Garland County residents to recognize the selfless contributions of every first responder who serves us," Hot Springs Fire Chief Ed Davis said in a news release.

In addition to the breakfast, Davis said, "We invite the public to come out on Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. for a great procession of emergency vehicles down Central Avenue through beautiful historic downtown Hot Springs."

The events are being organized and sponsored by the Columbian Squires (5700) and Knights of Columbus (6419), St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, as the Second Annual Patriots Day Breakfast and First Responders Procession.

Dayton Myers, 15, leader of the youth group for boys age 10-18 at St. Mary's, came up with the idea for the two events, and he urged all city and county residents to join in honoring the dangerous work the responders do.

"Dayton got it into his mind that it would be really nice to honor the city's first responders and military," Davis told The Sentinel-Record on Friday. "The leadership at St. Mary's approached me about this idea and we came to the conclusion that we honor the first responders with a breakfast and to hold a parade where they can show off the police cars, fire engines."

Myers said he has a great love for the political community, military, and local heroes and first responders.

"One thing I was thinking about last year was all the negative press from the national media towards the law enforcement community," he told The Sentinel-Record.

"There isn't much positive press about people who risk their lives daily to serve the citizens. Our military gets a lot of positive press and rightfully so since they are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice, their lives," he said.

"Our youth group for the Knights of Columbus, the Columbian Squires, were in one of our meetings and we were trying to come up with an idea for community unity. A few months later, we were having lunch with the department heads."

Myers said in the release that "we literally owe our lives, security and safety to these people. This is one small way we can let them know we realize how much we depend on them every single day."

Myers said a lunch before the parade will be sponsored by Brian and Laura Gehrki, of Gehrki Commercial Real Estate, for first responders and their families.

Davis said last year's breakfast saw a good turnout of first responders, but the community attendance at the parade was low. He said he hopes that, by moving the parade to a Saturday, more people in the community will be able to attend and show support, and bring their children, as well.

In 2017, more than 450 meals, including to-go boxes, were served, Myers said.

Firefighters, police and sheriff's personnel, Arkansas State Police, Game and Fish Commission officers, State Parks security, National Park Service officers and others are among the first responders who will be celebrated by the two events, Myers said.

"I would just like to encourage the community to honor our heroes and not let partisan beliefs be involved," he said. "Let's get all Democrats and Republicans out on the 15th to honor these men and woman."

Call Davis at 501-321-6970 or email Myers at [email protected] for more information.

Local on 08/19/2018

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