Speakers honor first responders at Sept. 11 event

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Officials from the Columbia area are honoring the fallen firefighters, law enforcement personnel, K-9 troopers and U.S. military men and women on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Wednesday’s event takes place at 5 p.m. at the memorial to the fallen next to Columbia’s Metropolitan Visitors Center. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and South Carolina Public Safety Director Leroy Smith are making remarks. A roll call for fallen heroes is also planned as well as the unveiling of a memorial to fallen K-9 troopers. A flyover will include aircraft from the State Law Enforcement Division, the Lexington and Richland County sheriff’s departments and the South Carolina National Guard.