This Friday, Fayette County’s first responders will gather at the Washington C.H. Fire Department to remember the men and women who lost their lives on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

This remembrance, organized by Fayette County Emergency Management Agency Director Fulton Terry, has become an annual event. “This is just our way of honoring the first responders and remembering those who lost their lives,” said Terry. “I don’t want us to ever forget what happened that day.”

Keven R. Clouse of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) will be the guest speaker at Friday’s remembrance. Clouse, a former field liaison for Fayette County, is a decorated veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he earned a bronze star for merit as a member of the 4th Infantry Division.

He has been with the OEMA for over 24 years and currently serves as Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP).

Those in attendance will be given the opportunity to acknowledge anyone who lost his/her life during this year or in the past, as well as an opportunity to toll the bell. The remembrance will start promptly at 9:10 a.m.

The public is invited to attend. There will be space across from the fire department, located at 225 E. Market St. in Washington C.H., to park emergency vehicles.