JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
As first responders in New York, Pennsylvania and the Nation's Capitol rushed into danger eleven years ago, their response set off a sense of awareness across the nation.
"Those firemen going up 110 stories climbing into a disaster, who died as a result of that service, woke America up to what these people do for them day in and day out, the sacrifice they make and their families make," said Rankin County Judge Kent McDaniel.
McDaniel says that kind of selfless spirit is also in Mississippi's first responders. A 9-11 ceremony Tuesday in Richland honored just that; the state's first responders and their commitment to service.
"They have a unique opportunity to deal with people at a point of crisis," said McDaniel.
Among that group is Hinds County Deputy Samantha Thompson. She's been with the department for five years and says despite the lasting tragedies from eleven years ago, the first responder community is stronger than ever.
"It has brought us together because we know it takes a lot of people, not just one agency but a lot of agencies to come together to help people," said Thompson.
It's that urge to help, which McDaniel says is the centerpiece in creating a group of folks that puts strangers as a priority.
"We have the community spirit and we support these folks as good as anybody in the nation does," said McDaniel.
"We do what we do not for the money but because we love our job and we love what we do," said Thompson.
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