‘Thank you,’ Brookstone School honors first responders in remembrance of 9/11

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)— More than 400 emergency personnel and first responders sacrificed their lives during the 9/11 attacks. Wednesday, students at Brookstone School personally thanked the first responders of Muscogee County.

September 11, 2001; nearly 3,000 innocent people were killed. This year marks 23 years since Brookstone School has made it their mission to honor public safety personnel of Columbus.

Senior Jason Pernell was one of the many students who helped bring in homemade items and write thank you letters to the men and women who serve the greater Columbus area. Wednesday, he was able to deliver these items to his uncle, Lt. Curtis Stephens. Stephens has been with Columbus Fire & EMS for 25 years.

“Before joining the fire department, I did nine years in the military, in the army,” Stephens said. “So, I pretty much been serving the United States, the community.”

Stephens had a few years under his belt when 9/11 happened. He said the attacks revolutionized firefighting.

“It changed the training and how we respond. Especially now that we know at any time in a situation can turn out to be a terrorist attack,” Stephens said.

Pernell says the example his uncle makes is one he is proud of, especially on the anniversary of 9/11. To his uncle, and all of the first responders of Columbus, he says thank you.

“I would like to say thank you, because if it wasn’t for them, then there’s no telling how the world would have turned out,” Pernell said. “And I just want to thank them for everything they’ve done and are going to do.”

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