Wausau’s first annual National Fallen Firefighters 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb to honor the 343 members of the Fire Department of New York who died on September 11, 2001. This national movement takes place on September 11 in dozens of cities across the United States. Milwaukee is the only other event location in Wisconsin.
Participants will climb the Ghidorzi Companies Corporate Cove Tower 14 times for a total of 110 stories, representing the number of floors in the Twin Towers. Participants will receive a photo and badge of one of the fallen heroes and will ring a silver fire bell in his/her honor as they complete the climb. Firefighters have the option to start in full turn-out gear and carry equipment, just as their fire service brothers did that morning.
Local firefighters from Antigo, Easton, Hatley, Hewitt, Kronenwetter, Merrill, Mosinee, Rib Mountain, Ringle, Rothschild, Schofield, Weston Wittenburg-Birnamwood are invited to participate as well as anyone from the community who is seeking a venue to remember 9/11 and honor the fallen heroes of that day.
EVENT DETAILS:
LOCATION: Corporate Cove Tower, One Corporate Drive, Wausau
DATE: Sunday, September 11
TIME: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event will kick off at 9 o’clock with a bagpipe memorial and prayer, followed by the stair climb. The all-day duration of the event will allow people the flexibility to participate throughout the day. Those who want to be part of the first wave of climbers at 9 a.m. should plan to arrive at 8 o’clock to register.
WHY: To provide the greater Wausau community with an outlet for remembering 9-11, honoring the fallen heroes from that day and raising money for their families and coworkers through the National Fallen Firefighters, a nonprofit foundation established by the U.S. Congress to honor our fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers. More information about the Foundation can be found at http://www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/about/.
No one can forget the fateful day of September 11. Until now, many of us in greater Wausau have not had an outlet to remember what happened and honor those who gave their lives for the love and wellbeing of their country and fellow citizens. Just in time for the 10th anniversary of September 11, the Memorial Stair Climb finally gives us that venue.
HOW TO SIGN UP: Registration will take place at the Corporate Cove Tower the day of the event. There is a $25 registration fee, 100% of which will go directly to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Participants can choose to waive the fee and walk solely in honor of the fallen heroes. All participants must sign a waiver before climbing.
The community can stay up-to-date or express support for the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GreaterWausau911StairClimb. Details about the national 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb movement can be found at http://www.firehero.org/events/9-11-stair-climbs/, including an event video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU-wQuqVwWU&feature=player_embedded.
The Greater Wausau 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb is featured in the August 30, 2011 Edition of the Wausau Daily Herald. Click here to read.
