TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) – Students made sure the sacrifice of firefighters following the 9/11 attacks is not forgotten.

Friday, students at Structured Day had a special opportunity to say “thank you” to firefighters with the Tupelo Fire Department, sharing a meal and building relationships that could last well beyond the day.

Students sat down for lunch with firefighters from Tupelo Fire Department Stations Two and Five.

For these students, it was a chance to connect with local heroes and remind them their service is remembered and appreciated.

“It’s a huge honor that people would want to show their thanks and appreciation for the guys that do this job,” said Tupelo Fire Capt. Keon Poindexter. “Even when we were not firefighters yet.”

“We want to carry that same love over to our local firefighters,” said Loden Donna, who does community engagement for Structured Day. “In fact, before they could come today, they had a couple of calls. Two wrecks and a gas leak.”

The visit is also the beginning of a new mentoring collaboration between the students and Station Five.