9/11 stair climb brings students and servicemen together
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks changed the world forever. When the Twin Towers fell in New York City, first responders came to rescue thousands of affected citizens. Every year on the same day, local servicemen come together to climb the stairs of Maverik Stadium in remembrance of those who risked their lives 22 years ago.
The event has occurred every year since 2002, rain or shine. Up until now, it was only for firefighters and their families. This year marked the first time students, firefighters, servicemen and community members joined together.
“On 9/11, we’ve always just gotten together as fire departments here at the stadium and run the stairs. This year, we thought, ‘We really should invite USU and their students to their stadium to run with us,’ and we thought that would be special if they could be part of it with us,” said John Cox, a battalion chief for the Logan City Fire Department.
The fire department co-sponsored the event with Utah State University. Other participants included Bridgerland Technical College Fire and Rescue Services and the Cache County, Box Elder County and Rich County fire districts. Local police departments and their dispatchers as well as family members and students were all invited.
Participating firefighters spoke of the importance of remembering the day, particularly for younger generations, even if they weren’t born yet or don’t remember watching it on that day. Some became emotional as they climbed for the lives that were lost.
“Some of the guys were like, ‘I think that might be too much.’ And well, it’s a little different for us. I was here at Utah State going to school when 9/11 happened. I think a lot of the students now maybe weren’t even born or they were so young, they would never remember it. They appreciate and remember it, but they didn’t live through it. This is an event that we lived through, so I want to share that a little bit,” Cox said.
Each participant wore a name and picture of a firefighter who died that day. They were dispatched in companies to one of the symbolic towers.
To heighten the sentiment, the crowd watched a video of the planes crashing and then listened to radio traffic from the firefighter’s radios as they climbed.
Firemen in training at Bridgerland Technical College climbed in full uniform, carrying up to 100 pounds of weight, just as the FDNY did.
“We brought gear over here to show the weight that they’re carrying, and most of those guys had around 100 pounds worth of gear with them climbing those stairs. We’re going to have some of these guys on air, so when their air runs out, you’re going to hear their bells start ringing and telling them, ‘You’re low on air, you need to get out,’” Cox said. “There’s got to be some emotion to it. That’s what we’re hoping to capture.”
Each tower had 110 floors, or 2,071 steps. Climbing every stair in the stadium, up and down, equals the same number of stairs in the building that fell.
“25,000 people were evacuated from the buildings by those firefighters. Many didn’t make it to the fire floor. They really didn’t put it out, you know, but 25,000 people got out because of them,” John said.
Tate Bennett, athletics & campus recreation executive director, partnered with Cox to spread awareness about the event to students.
“We decided the easiest way to market to students and get them involved would be to collaborate with the HURD and the fire department, especially because we’re using athletic facilities for it,” Bennett said. “Part of it is for educational purposes. A lot of us grew up in a post-9/11 world without understanding the context of really what’s changed — that’s why it’s important.”
Sarah Winger is a USU student who learned about the event through the HURD.
“I think it’s a good way to remember what the first responders have done for us, especially on 9/11,” she said. “They did this, they sacrificed their lives. It’s kind of a humbling experience to think that those people out there are sacrificing their lives every single day for us to keep us safe, so it means a lot.”
Of the crowd of people gathered at the stadium at 8 a.m., some came to watch and support, others wanted to learn more and many did it out of appreciation for the lives lost.
Skyler Hammond came along with his best friend, whose dad is a local firefighter. He was born after 9/11 and gained a newfound appreciation for those serving in his community.
“I wanted to see like how hard it was for the firefighters,” he said. “The stairs they had to do and how long it took for them to actually get to the fire and just see how it felt and see what they went through,” he said.
Madison Moore, a student with Fire and Rescue Services, said she is one of the few students who still remember 9/11. She was honored to carry the extra weight around the stadium.
“It’s an important day that we should always remember, and getting this opportunity to be able to take a small walk in their shoes is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I wanted to make sure to be here,” she said.
Moore said she expressed interest in being a firefighter since the age of five. She said it means more being a firefighter now, after the attacks in 2001.
“It’s a legacy that you’re taking on. And you’re not just there for yourself, but you’re there for all the firefighters that have come before you, and you’re continuing that legacy and also just being that face for people when they’re in their scariest moments — being that light for them,” she said.
Many firefighters made phone calls to their spouses on Sept. 11, letting them know they wouldn’t be coming home that night. Cox says it’s part of the job, knowing at any moment you may not make it back to your family.
“It’s one thing to die for others, it’s another thing to live for others,” Cox said. “I think that’s something that we want to celebrate as firefighters.”
Amber Cox, John’s wife, came to support just as she has every year.
“You’ve got those who remember it happening who are here to remember it, and then you’ve got those that were super young, and they hear their parents talk about it or they vaguely remember something big happening,” she said. “This kind of makes it a little more real. As firemen specifically, they live this — it’s more real to them, and so they need to remember.”
Amber became emotional as she spoke of the fear that comes with being the spouse of a firefighter.
“I can’t say I know what it’s like to lose somebody in a situation like that, because I don’t, and I hope I never do. But it does make it real. The reality of knowing that your spouse is putting themselves on the line becomes really personal in situations like this,” she said. “Firemen do this job because they love it. This isn’t a 9-5 office kind of job. They live it, they breathe it, they love this job. And if they lose their life doing this job, there’s no better way to go. And they truly believe that and spouses have to believe that too. If you lose them in the line, it’s the best way to go.”
As another year passes, John hopes students will remember and appreciate the sacrifice made by so many. After seeing students join, he gained a new excitement for an event they’ve held so many times before.
“We love our students up here. Everybody’s so good to us,” John said. “We just want to give back to Utah State and be here with our students, be here with all the good people.”
In a statement from USU President Elizabeth Cantwell, she encouraged the community to unite in memory.
“As we look back on Sept. 11, 2001, do not forget the enduring importance of coming together. It is in our unity, resilience, and the pursuit of a better tomorrow that we truly honor the memory of that tragic day in 2001,” she said. “I hope we all move forward in that spirit and work toward a better tomorrow.”