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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com

This past weekend, millions of Americans remembered the tragic events that happened 20 years ago on September 11th, 2001 when the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked.

The people of the United States still feel the effects of this attack, as not only those working inside of the buildings were killed, but also those first responders who laid down their lives in an attempt to save as many people as possible.

First responders in today’s climate face the same risk each and every day when they are sent out on a call, ready to do whatever it takes to serve the community and make the area a much safer place.

One local business, Cash Express in Elizabethton realizes the effort made by these brave men and women and decided to do something heartfelt to honor their sacrifice and commitment.

For many years now, the business has delivered various food items and thank you cards to places such as the Elizabethton and Carter County Fire Department, Carter County EMS, Elizabethton Police Department, Carter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carter County 911 office to show their appreciation for what they do.

This year was no different, as Cash Express delivered cupcakes and handwritten posters to all of these departments last Thursday due to the 11th being on a Saturday.

In a statement written by the company, Chief Executive Officer Gary McNabb expressed his utmost gratitude to these organizations, saying, “No one ever imagined that taking a meal to first responders as a way of showing our appreciation would turn out to mean so much to the people in our company.  As more and more people and locations became involved, a simple gesture became an annual Salute to First Responders.”

“The way we show our appreciation differs from community to community and location to location, but everyone involved knows they have the support and encouragement of our company. We value the opportunity to show their appreciation to First Responders.  One of our goals is to encourage others in the community to be involved as well.” 

The date of choice, the anniversary of September 11th, is a special one to do something for first responders. To expand on that idea, McNabb continued in the statement, saying, “Using the 9/11 anniversary as an opportunity to refresh and rekindle our feelings for first responders is a good thing.  It’s a simple but meaningful way to say, Thank you First Responders.  We salute you.”