More than 200 first responders who fought the Sevier County wildfires last November were surprised with a new memorial in Pigeon Forge's Patriot Park Tuesday evening.
The city unveiled a memorial wall because they wanted to recognize the first responders for their bravery and selfless actions that protected the city.
255 firefighters worked for five days in Pigeon Forge and other Sevier County communities beating back those flames.
With the monument, Pigeon Forge made sure their sacrifice won't be forgotten.
"This is not just about the firefighters, this is about the whole community out there and what it means. I'm so proud to be a part of this community,” Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Tony Watson said.
A beautiful new memorial unveiled in Pigeon Forge to say thank you to the hundreds of first responders who battled the Sevier Co wildfires pic.twitter.com/m8XXPpYtGh
— Marc Sallinger (@MarcSallinger) November 7, 2017
Here's the big surprise - the city of Pigeon Forge unveils a permanent monument to the hundreds of first responders who answered the call the night of the Gatlinburg Wildfires @wbir pic.twitter.com/qA50BkFngU
— Aaron Wright (@AaronWBIR) November 7, 2017
Hundreds of firefighters and first responders attended a Thank You lunch earlier Tuesday. Those that attended were able to share their stories of what happened on Nov. 28.
Thank you notes from local kids filled the walls and covered the tables, a reminder the houses they protected and the lives they saved still does not go unappreciated.