photo by Jimmy Sikes

Dozens of fire, rescue, EMS, police and military gathered at the campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College Tuesday for a Sept. 11 memorial service.

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PRESTONSBURG — Dozens of students, community leaders and EMS personnel showed up at the Prestonsburg campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College Tuesday in memorial to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The college has held a memorial service on their campus in Prestonsburg every year since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

“What a difference a day makes,” said BSCTC President Dr. George Edwards during his opening remarks. “A day that forever changed out history.”

During the 11th memorial service held at the college since the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, Edwards thanked the emergency service community for their efforts that day, and in the days that have followed. “You patrol and serve every day in our community.”

BSCTC history professor Tom Matijasic noted that the day is now known as “Patriots Day.”

“We have combined the commemoration of the 9/11 tragedy with the celebration of the U.S. Constitution,” Matijasic said. “These things contrast sharply with one another. The former represents the tyranny of violence, the latter represents the rule of law.

“The former is unjust and can never be corrected. the latter can be continually corrected and gradually perfected.”

Matijasic said the men who committed the horrendous acts 11 years ago wanted to die for their cause and kill others in the process.

“Our founding documents call up us to live for our cause and to protect the rights of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,’ given as inherent rights by our creator.”

The keynote speaker, Mike Dixon, called on those in attendance to remember and support their first responders. Dixon discussed the hardships and sacrifices that rescue, EMS, military and police forces endure.

Dixon asked for support from Dr. Edwards for a public service and military appreciation day.

Susan Scott, a BSCTC employee and contestant in last years Road to Fame competition, sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” for the event.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Prestonsburg fire and EMS, police, the Floyd County Emergency and Rescue Squad, and National Guard, as well as staff, faculty, students and members of the community.