Edwards Funeral Home hosted a breakfast on September 12, to honor and thank local first responders for their service to the community. The event, held at the funeral home, was part of an ongoing effort by the business to show appreciation for those who serve in roles such as police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS), and the communications office.

Justin Smith, owner of Edwards Funeral Home, emphasized the importance of recognizing all first responders during the event. "We think of first responders as fire and police, but we’ve also got the sheriff’s department, the detention center, EMS, and the communications office. It's all one big team," said Smith.

This marked the fourth annual First Responders Breakfast hosted by Edwards Funeral Home. According to Smith, the event is meant to offer a token of gratitude to those who protect and serve the community every day. “We just wanted to thank them for all they do for us and our community,” he said.

The date of the breakfast, held one day after September 11, was chosen intentionally. Smith noted that while many activities take place on September 11, he wanted to ensure that local first responders still received acknowledgment. "We did it around this time because there's a lot of activities going on on the 11th. So we kind of moved the date closer to make sure we could thank them," he explained.

The breakfast provided an opportunity for first responders to gather in a relaxed setting and share a meal together. Edwards Funeral Home, located at 702 North Queen Street, has made it a tradition to foster a sense of community among first responders through events like this.

Smith, reflecting on the significance of the event, added, "It's just our way of giving back to those who give so much to us."