Ashland officials and first responders gathered at the riverfront on Thursday to mark the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, remembering those who died and honoring emergency personnel, speakers said. The program included a prayer, a recitation of a paramedic’s prayer, and remarks from local police and fire leaders.
The remembrance drew elected officials and public-safety leaders. Commissioner Goode opened the service with a prayer and introduced speakers; Ashland Police Chief Todd Kelly recounted the scale of the attacks and their toll on law enforcement and civilians, and Chief Steve Alley of the Ashland Fire Department reflected on the response and long-term effects on rescuers. Brent Turvey, identified in the program as director of Boyd County MS, read a “paramedics prayer.”
Police Chief Todd Kelly said, "A total of 72 law enforcement officers died on that day," and described the Sept. 11 attacks as the deadliest single event for U.S. law enforcement in history. He also noted specific flight and crash details during his remarks, including that American Airlines Flight 77 departed Dulles International Airport and later crashed into the Pentagon. Kelly concluded his remarks with, "May we never forget those we lost."
Chief Alley said thousands were killed and described watching the news coverage and the response of first responders that day: "We saw ordinary people demonstrate extraordinary courage." He said many first responders who worked at the recovery sites continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress, respiratory illnesses and cancers and that the number of rescuers who have since died from those illnesses has "now exceed[ed] the initial loss of life to our first responders," as he put it.
Brent Turvey read a short prayer for paramedics that included the line, "I promise to keep my skills refined, my judgment sharp and keen." The program closed with Chief Alley explaining the firefighting bell tradition — a three-bell toll, pause, three-bell toll, pause, three-bell toll — in memory of firefighters who have died, and with closing remarks thanking attendees.
This event was ceremonial; no formal actions, votes, or policy directions were recorded during the remarks.