Community members, first responders, and local leaders will gather on the Saline County Courthouse lawn next month for “Carry the Light,” an event dedicated to first responder suicide prevention and remembrance. Scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, the evening aims to honor those lost, support those currently struggling, and foster a supportive community where seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength. Read more below.
The gathering, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will formally recognize Sept. 1 as First Responder Suicide Prevention Day. The program will include the presentation of official proclamations recognizing the day at both the state and county levels.
For event organizer Serena Krone, the date carries a deeply personal significance. Her sister, Brittany Wildhaber, a volunteer firefighter and EMT, died by suicide on Sept. 1, 2017.
“For nine years, September 1 has represented one of the darkest days of my life,” Krone said. “I can’t change what happened that day, but I can help change what this day means going forward. My hope is that September 1 becomes a day when we remember those we’ve lost while reminding the first responders who are still here that they matter, they are needed, and they never have to carry the weight of this job alone.”
A central portion of the evening will be the symbolic “Carry the Light” candle observance. Attendees will carry candles representing both remembrance and hope, honoring the departed while showing solidarity with active first responders who face unseen struggles.
“Sometimes someone can’t see the light for themselves,” Krone noted. “In those moments, we have to be willing to carry it for them until they can see it again.”
The event is open to the public and is designed to bring together firefighters, EMS professionals, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, their families, elected officials, and the broader Saline County community. Organizers emphasize that the public’s presence serves as a powerful demonstration of support for the men and women who spend their lives responding to emergencies.
• Saline County Events List •.
• Get MySaline’s free newsletter •
