Firefighters pay respect with 9/11 memorial stair climb
By Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr., 919th Special Operations Wing public affairs
/ Published September 12, 2011
DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- Small red, white and blue streamers swayed in the morning breeze from the steps of the Duke air traffic control tower Sept. 11. The names of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center were inscribed on each streamer.
For the first time, Airmen and civilian firefighters from Eglin's 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, who work at Duke, held a memorial stair climb honoring their fallen brothers, the New York firefighters.
"Across the nation, tribute climbs are done and I wanted the Duke Field fire station to be a part of that tradition," said Staff Sgt. James Hickman, a 96th CES firefighter who coordinated the event.
Thirteen firefighters geared up and climbed the five flights of steps at the Duke tower continuously, equaling the 110 flights of the World Trade Center building. Along the way, they hung the streamers at various levels of the tower.
"It was an honor to do this," said Senior Airman John Schroeder, an engineer with 96th CES. "As firefighters, we put our lives on the line every day and there's nothing else I'd rather do."
Family members watched and cheered as the firefighters ascended and descended the tower. The group alternated carrying a 50-pound, 150-foot hose and ax. Matthew Becker also carried his son Braddock to the top to hang a streamer.
The climb took approximately 40 minutes and afterward many of the firefighters were exhausted saying their legs felt like jelly and they'd completed their cardio (workout) for the day. Once it was over, each one seemed to take a moment and reflect on and understand what had happened that day.
"It's all about us remembering and ensuring (this tragedy) will never be forgotten," said Hickman.