Fire depts. plan 9/11 commemorations

Van Wert independent

Several area firefighters are planning events in commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The Van Wert Professional Firefighters Local 681, along with the Van Wert Fire Department, is holding a 5K run/walk and open house to commemorate the 10 anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Both events start promptly at 2 p.m. at the Van Wert Fire Department, with the open house concluding at 4 p.m.

Awards will be given for the top three finishers in each age group (under 30, 31-40 and over 40), the top three male and female overall finishers and an award for the most participants from a fire/EMS department.

Registration is $20 the day of the race. Mail registrations to VWPFF Local 681, P.O. Box 572, Van Wert, OH 45891. Make checks payable to VWPFF Local 681. Contact David Cummings, Craig King or Pat Freeman at 419.238.4918 for more information.

There will be a special concert benefit featuring Blair Carman and the Belleview Boys in Rockford as a 9/11 tribute. The personalized tribute event held on Sunday, September 11, at 3:45-5:45 p.m., will serve to honor first responders and raise funds to buy equipment for area all-volunteer fire departments in Chattanooga, Mendon, Ohio City, Rockford, and Willshire. The spectacular event will involve Blair, special patriotic music sung by vocalists, video presentations recognizing members of the fire departments and local veterans, transitioning to images of the impact of the terror on 9/11, with a finale leading attendees in singing “God Bless the USA,” Lee Greenwood style.

The event will be held in the Parkway Local School District auditorium, 400 Buckeye St. in Rockford, and will be emceed by WCSM Radio Show host Jim Highley, with the invocation given by Pastor Jim Kaiser of Mt. Tabor Church of God. A free-will donation will be accepted upon entrance and collected during intermission.

The public is invited to come in celebration and appreciation of the service of first responders and enjoy Blair Carman and the Belleview Boys, an amazing Roll ‘n’ Roll act out of Cincinnati. Blair and his band will perform authentic Fifties style Rock ’n’ Roll/Rockabilly tunes, ranging from a repertoire of original songs to include classics from Elvis Presley to Carl Perkins, Hank Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more! Proceeds from 50/50 ticket sales during the event will be offered by local firefighters to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in memory of their 343 FDNY brothers who selflessly gave their lives on 9/11 so that others might live.

For anyone interested in making a monetary donation to the fire department, please send a check written out to Rockford Fire Department located at 201 South Main Street, PO Box 357, Rockford, OH 45882. Donations will be divided between area fire departments.