Emergency officials from around Harlan County will be honored during “An Evening with Harlan County Heroes” photo exhibit and reception at Harlan County High School on Friday at 7 p.m.

The third annual event will include a memorial tribute, recognitions and an address by state senator Brandon Smith. The program will be followed by a reception in the Harlan County High School cafeteria, where a 100-piece photo exhibit organized by Harlan County Photography Guild members will be on display.

“We are excited about this year's program and exhibit,” said Harlan County Photography Guild President Jennifer McDaniels. “Because we’re hosting this year's event at the new Harlan County High School, the state-of-the-art technical capabilities we'll have access to in the school's theater will allow us to make this year's program more compelling with both video and sound. We have a moving memorial slide-show presentation planned, as well as a moment when the audience will hear Jim Morgan of WHLN Radio, along with Everett Jones, broadcasting live during the flood of ‘77. We hope this will set the mood for an evening of remembrance and recognition.”

Both Morgan and Jones will be honored during the program for their past services and dedication to Harlan Countians during times of emergencies and natural disasters. Jones is Harlan County's former emergency management director, while Morgan played a crucial role during the catastrophic flood of 1977 by risking his own safety to report the news and valuable life-saving information to the people.

Also being recognized is former Loyall fire chief Arthur Halcomb, who will receive the Harlan County Photography Guild's first-ever “Legacy Award.” Neil Middleton of WYMT-TV will be attending to help honor Morgan. Middleton worked at WHLN in the 1980s. Smith and state Rep. Rick Nelson will help with the award presentations. Smith will also be the night's special speaker.

The Harlan County Boys and Girls Club is also helping with this year's “Heroes” exhibit. The children's 'artwork of club members will be on display along with the guild's photos, and a student will give a recitation of an original poem written about heroes.

Harlan County High School's Junior ROTC will be helping with the program’s memorial tribute, and other local officials taking part in the program include Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop, Harlan County Sheriff Marvin Lipfird, KSP Public Affairs Officer Walt Meachum, and Harlan County's Emergency Management Director David McGill. Harlan County emergency personnel or volunteers who have been in active service for 15 years or more and 25 years or more will also be given awards during the program.

McGill said the event reminds emergency personnel that they are valued.

“This event shows that people in the county do appreciate what emergency services does for them. It also gives a chance for emergency personnel to come together to talk and share stories and to be around each other and have a good time. We normally don’t get together unless something bad is going on,” McGill stated. “As a citizen of Harlan County, I appreciate what all of them do. Without first responders, the county would be vulnerable because they protect us every day. People don’t realize how important they are.”

McDaniels said the program is free and over 25 door prizes will be handed out during the reception.

The event is sponsored by the Harlan County Photography Guild and Harlan County Emergency Management. For additional information about the event, contact McDaniels at 573-4223 or 909-0406.