The Knights of Columbus and the Columbian Squires are honoring first responders and active or retired military personnel today with a breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church.
Hot Springs Fire Chief Ed Davis said Monday that today's breakfast is designed to commemorate the first responders in Hot Springs and Garland County and pay tribute to the country's first responders.
City leaders will also be in attendance, he said.
"At 7:30 a.m. there will be a nondenominational service to remember the sacrifice of our country's first responders on 9/11," Davis said.
Davis said throughout the day, several groups in the community will be honoring first responders and on Saturday, the annual First Responders Procession will take place downtown.
"The parade starts at 1 p.m., and we've got high school bands marching, emergency vehicles ... staging for those in the parade will start at St. Mary's at 11 a.m.," he said. "We did this on 9/11 last year, and it's just very difficult to get around and get people downtown. By doing this midday on a normal day off, parents can bring their kids out."
Hot Springs police Cpl. Joey Williams said the police department will have the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP, used by the SWAT team in Saturday's parade with a few of the officers planning to walk in the procession.
The department, he said, has received several calls already of people wanting to bring things by for the officers today.
"We appreciate the community's support," he said.
The National Park College Veterans Services Center will host a day of remembrance today with a reading of the events at noon near the flagpole and 9/11 memorial marker on campus as taps plays.
"My veteran students and I want to honor the fallen and all of the men and women who are still fighting as a result of that fateful day," said Nathan Looper, VA coordinator for the college, in an email to students and staff. "We are having a day of remembrance to bring awareness to the events of the day."
Students, staff and faculty veterans are asked to wear, if possible, something showing their military branch or unit pride. Family members of past or present military servicemen and women are also encouraged to wear something to represent them.
Area schools will be honoring first responders today as well as studying 9/11, an event that took place before many students were born.
Dana Janush, director of federal programs and public relations for Mountain Pine School District, said because many students were not alive during the time of the attacks, teachers will present information regarding the terrorist attacks.
"This will start with a video and timeline of the event, and end on a respectful note with a video discussing the symbolism throughout the 9/11 memorial," she said. "It is important we not forget the greatest loss of first responders in American history. The schools will also have a moment of silence."
The Lakeside High School volleyball team will host a civil service night during today's home match in recognition of civil officers.
Students with St. John's School will be participating in Saturday's parade, according to Marianne Layne director of advancement.
Local on 09/11/2018