ATHENS, Ga. — First responders from across Athens gathered at Sanford Stadium early Friday morning to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago.
Members of the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department, Athens-Clarke County Police Department and UGA Police Department participated in the University of Georgia’s annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb for the third consecutive year.
Participants climbed 120 stadium steps 19 times, completing a total of 2,280 steps. The climb symbolizes the 110 stories of the World Trade Center towers that New York City firefighters and other first responders ascended while trying to rescue victims during the attacks.
The event was organized and hosted by UGA’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs.
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“It’s most important to just remember the sacrifice of Americans that day,” said Aaron Johnson of UGA ROTC. “I think that day symbolizes what evil thinks it can do and what love can actually conquer.”
Johnson said participating in the memorial has become a meaningful tradition.
“To come out here and honor those that did that is truly touching, and it’s a really humbling experience we get to do every year,” he said.
For many firefighters, the climb serves as a physical reminder of the bravery shown by first responders on Sept. 11, 2001.
“It’s kind of what we do every year to try to remember the men and women who lost their lives that day,” said Jacob Jones with the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department.
Jones acknowledged the challenge of completing the climb but said it pales in comparison to what first responders faced 25 years ago.
“It’s probably one of the most difficult things that we do every year. However, the men and women who climbed those towers, they did it without a thought,” Jones said. “So we’re going to do the same thing. They made the ultimate sacrifice, so this is just a minor sacrifice that we can make to remember them.”
The annual event is one of several ceremonies being held across Georgia to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives.
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