Commemorative 9/11 climb highlights unity and heroism

Amid a polarizing political climate, hundreds of local military service members, first responders, veterans and supporters came together to commemorate the American heroism and unity that followed the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Over 250 participants gathered along the St. Petersburg waterfront Wednesday morning as the Tampa Bay Rowdies hosted their fourth annual 9/11 Stair Climb at Al Lang Stadium. Their 2,200-step goal was a tribute to first responders who climbed 110 stories to save lives at the World Trade Center 23 years prior.

Nearly 3,000 people died during the cataclysmic terrorist attack. Pausing from his run, U.S. Coast Guard Captain Michael Khale noted it also “brought us together as a country.”

“Events like today remind us of how precious America is and what it represents – not just for American citizens, but around the globe,” Khale added. “I think days like this reground us in those ideals and our pursuit of that.”

Participants stand for the national anthem.

The event began at 8:30 a.m. with Clarissa Thornton performing the national anthem. Attendees paused for a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. to commemorate American Airlines Flight 11 striking the World Trade Center’s North Tower at hundreds of miles an hour while carrying roughly 10,000 gallons of jet fuel.

Participants representing various public safety and military agencies throughout Tampa Bay then began climbing. Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott, dripping with sweat from the thick humidity, credited firefighters in full gear for their “almost superhuman” efforts.

Scott said the event offered a respite from ongoing divisiveness. He noted that personal backgrounds and political affiliations did not matter on the stadium’s stairs.

“We’re just here as Americans, as Pinellas County residents, to support our first responders and remember what happened that day,” Scott said. “And you know what? Even if it’s just a couple hours this morning that we recapture that togetherness – it’s’ worth it.”

First responders and military service members from agencies throughout Tampa Bay participated in the event.

The event has doubled in size over the past four years and now features an opening ceremony, an early lunch and two climbing sessions. Rowdies President Ryan Helfrick expressed pride for its continued growth and hopes to offer runs throughout the day.

“We’ll eventually get there,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to show our support for our first responders and the community to support them, as well.”

The event originated with a call from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. Khale said the local station wanted to recognize 343 New York City firefighters and paramedics who gave their lives on 9/11.

Khale, speaking at roughly the same time United Flight 175 struck the South Tower, said they also wanted to honor first responders and military members’ commitment to protecting the “American way of life.” Helfrick said the team is grateful to host what Khale called a show of appreciation for those ongoing sacrifices.

Two more jets crashed on 9/11, one into the Pentagon’s western face and another in a remote Pennsylvania field after heroic crew members and passengers stormed the cockpit. The Twin Towers collapsed; 2,753 people died in the attacks, and health experts expect more to die from toxic exposure.

“It means a lot to give back to the community and honor the individuals that fell on 9/11,” Helfrick said. “That’s the power of professional sports – bringing people together from all different backgrounds and walks of life as one community and working together towards a common goal.”

Local musician Clarissa Thornton performed the national anthem. The fourth annual 9/11 Stair Climb was the first to feature an opening ceremony.

In addition to the Coast Guard, the St. Petersburg Police Department, St. Pete Fire and Rescue, Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, Tampa Fire Rescue, and the U.S. Army, Navy and National Guard all brought personnel to the event. Participants received tickets to Saturday’s First Responder Night matchup between the Rowdies and Pittsburgh River Hounds.

Scott finds it hard to believe that 23 years have passed since 9/11. He said events like the stair climb keep the memories of that fateful day and the first responders who gave the “ultimate sacrifice” alive.

“At the end of the day, we’re going to go home, take showers and sleep in our beds tonight,” Scott added. “They didn’t have the opportunity to do that. To do this in their honor and memoriam – it just adds meaning to the day.”