LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Sunday, the city of Louisville celebrated those who help their communities during their most desperate times of need. 

The Cathedral of the Assumption hosted a blue mass to honor first responders ahead of Sept. 11 on Sunday.

22 years after Sept. 11, 2001, the message "never forget" still runs strong in Louisville. 

"Today is the day before the actual anniversary, but it also is always good to come back and have that remembrance and that reminder of like that ultimate sacrifice and why we do this job," said Captain of the Louisville Metro Fire Department, Donovan Sims.

Nearly 3000 people lost their lives on Sept. 11, and if it wasn’t for first responders, many more would’ve been lost.

"Those firefighters and other first responders that did respond on that tragic day also saved and rescued a lot of people, you know, the thousands that were lost that day, there were countless that were saved," he said. 

Even though Kentucky is miles away from where the attacks happened, Sims said the day has left an impact on everyone.

"It stung us all," he said. "We all felt it that i think for those who were alive and we're old enough to remember where they were, it takes you back and it brings you to that moment of just solidarity where we all came together as a country and all we're all fighting for one cause."

He said he wants the community to know that the Louisville Metro Fire Department will always be there to help.

"We also realize that people call us on their worst days. So, we also have to be smooth in our transitions and make sure we know that people know that we're there to help," he said. 

A day the whole country can cometogether to remember those that paid the ultimate scarfice.

On the anniversary of the attacks there will be multple events throughout the state that will honor firefighters and servicemen and women.