Several hundred first responders gathered Sunday morning at Clipper Magazine Stadium for the 14th annual stair climb, honoring their counterparts who answered the call on 9/11.
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists flew hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. More than 400 emergency responders, including 343 firefighters, were among the more than 2,700 people who died there.
"We are here to remember their sacrifice," said Chaplain Scott Yuill of the East Petersburg Fire Co., organizer of the climb.
Sunday's weather was cool and clear, reminiscent of the day of the attacks, now 23 years in the past. After an opening ceremony and prayer, participants began filing up the steps at the far end of the first-base stands, beginning the first of five complete circuits of the stadium steps.
The distance approximates the number of steps in the 110-story Twin Towers. It takes most people about 90 minutes, Yuill said.
A majority climbed in full firefighting gear, like those who responded on that terrible day. Many carried hoses or other equipment. Others carried flags: The Stars and Stripes, and "Thin Blue Line" and "Thin Red Line" flags, denoting solidarity with police and firefighters.
Chris Ditzler of Blue Rock Fire Rescue said he's done the climb every year for about a decade. He was there Sunday with his son, Brock, who is turning 12 this week.
"It's a remembrance of the fallen members of the FDNY," said Brock, who was in full gear, including an air pack that his father made for him, and said he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up.
The 9/11 attacks were the worst terror attacks in history. Besides the thousands of deaths at the Twin Towers, nearly 300 more people died when hijacked planes were crashed into the Pentagon and at a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Proceeds from the climb benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which supports the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and the counseling unit of the Fire Department of New York.
Departments from as far away as Virginia and New York join the many Lancaster County emergency responders and their supporters who take part, Yuill said.
Stair climbs for 9/11 take different forms, Yuill said. There's no right or wrong way to do one, he said: "The important thing is to come and remember."
Photos
(Photos: Tim Stuhldreher | One United Lancaster)
