COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Approximately 500 people climbed stairs at a Grand Rapids ballpark to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Firefighters, service members and community members participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Lake Michigan Credit Union Ballpark Saturday morning.
Participants announced the names of the 343 firefighters who died that day, rang a bell to honor their victims, and ran laps of the ballpark to match the 110 floors of the World Trade Center.
“When you have people who have made the ultimate sacrifice, they should never be forgotten. It shouldn’t just be history and we’re moving on, ”said Chris Farr, a Courtland Township firefighter who attended the event.
The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb marked 20 years since four hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington DC, and a field in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 civilians were killed in what became the deadliest day in history for US firefighters.
“This was the biggest fire fighter fatality in a very short time. At the same time, it was the biggest rescue operation that has ever taken place, ”said Lance Korhorn, who has been a Cascade Township firefighter for 14 years.
At least 13,000 people were successfully evacuated from the World Trade Center before the towers collapsed.
Related: A list of September 11th anniversary commemorations scheduled across Michigan
Korhorn and a friend started the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb a decade ago on the 10th anniversary of September 11th. This year’s event was the biggest turnout with around 20 fire departments represented and hundreds of people climbing stairs.
“This was the most impressive event of my life, probably all of us, that I remember as if it were yesterday,” said Korhorn. “We need to keep reminding ourselves that there is unity and hope with a group like this to come together, remember and pay tribute.”
Badges of honor with the names and faces of the deceased firefighters were distributed to the participants.
Thirteen flags were also displayed to honor the American soldiers killed in the August 26 suicide bombing at an airport in Afghanistan.
Related: Michigan man pays tribute to 13 US soldiers killed in Afghanistan, humiliated by tearful reactions, emotionally
Grand Rapids firefighter on duty Jane Long climbed the stairs in full gear and said it was “hard and sweaty” but gave a glimpse into the 9/11 firefighters’ experience.
“We’re getting a break. They didn’t get a break. They had to push past people, they carried high-rise backpacks, they carried bags and tools, ”she said. “It’s good to remember the sacrifices that people have made.”
Approximately $ 40,000 was raised at the event for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the FDNY Counseling Services Unit.
Matt Newman, who was 6 years old in 2001, said climbing the stairs to the memorial “takes your breath away”. Today he is Walker’s firefighter and a member of the US Marine Corps.
“I play my part,” he said. “A lot of great people have died and I’m just following in their footsteps.”
More about MLive:
The Ann Arbor Fire Department honors those who died on September 11th
On September 11th, a flight home from a Washington family was stranded in Saginaw. You never forget what followed.
Twenty years later, September 11th left a painful mark on the people of Michigan whose lives have changed forever
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