On September 11, 2001, 343 firefighters were killed responding to the terror attacks on the World Trade Center.
Before they died, they climbed stairs for 110 stories -- the equivalent of the World Trade Center -- in full firefighting gear. Fire departments across the country held events Wednesday to do the same.
“@BomberoFF: Right before heading in for the 110 story climb. #honor #FDNY #LFD #bigblue @BritPelletzWKYT pic.twitter.com/eF8oB523”
— Matthew S. Howard (@FFHoward) September 15, 2012
Some of the firefighters wore regular clothes, and some wore their full 60-pound gear. Either way, firefighters from coast to coast did their best to understand the physical challenges the 343 went through the day of the attacks.
Wednesday morning, dozens of California firefighters climbed the stairs of the Renaissance Tower in Sacramento. The tower is only 28 stories tall, but to reach the 110-story goal, firefighters, each bearing the name of one of the fallen firefighters will climb the building four times up and down.
343 firefighters and 70 law enforcement officers climbed in Dallas.
Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb climbers. 343 firefighters. 70 law enforcement officers. @Dallas911Climb pic.twitter.com/xhgavmAuM5
— DFW Scanner (@DFWscanner) September 7, 2013Advertisement
In San Diego, firefighters climbed the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel. Colorado firefighters climbed the 55-story CenturyLink Tower in Denver twice.
Firefighters from across the state gathered in Richmond, Va., to, trek up and down the 22-story SunTrust Center five times each.
“It’s good to come out here and be able to represent the brothers we lost in New York,” said Richmond fire Lt. Kevin House. “Everybody gets through it, and we all support each other.”
Team 4 Tucson 2013 Celebrity stair climb to remember fallen 343 firefighters of 9/11 pic.twitter.com/HPFWFChZSa
— LUPITA MURILLO (@LMURILLO4) August 24, 2013
In Nashville, they climbed the Tennessee Tower's 24 stories.
Dickson, Tenn., firefighter John Davis said that he climbs in memory of FDNY Capt. Thomas Haskell Jr.
“There are times when I thought I wasn’t going to do it either,” Davis said. “But I take a look at the guy on the lanyard on my neck and think, ‘This is for him.’"
Did the OKC Memorial 110 story Stair Climb today honoring the 343 FDNY that lost their lives on 9/11 @ the WTC. pic.twitter.com/VVjs5mfn
— Larry Hansen (@LarryHansen7) September 8, 2012Advertisement
Each of the events raised money for programs that help injured firefighters and widows and children of the 343 killed.
Every time a firefighter finishes their 110-story stair climb, they ring a bell to remember the #343FDNY lost on 9-11 pic.twitter.com/YPdUciQ5
— Gaylord National (@GaylordNational) September 8, 2012
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