News>Firefighters pay respect with 9/11 memorial stair climb
Photos
Kevin Anderson, a 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, holds up one of the streamers before attaching it to the Duke Field air traffic control tower during a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower each time they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Braddock Becker gets a ride up to the top of the Duke Field air traffic control tower by Charles Conroy, a 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, during a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Two streamers sway in the morning breeze from the Duke Field air traffic control tower as a firefighter walks back to his fire engine after the first-ever 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. The firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Firefighters with the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, reflect on the day during a moment of silence held prior to a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Brett Buckland, a 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, lugs the 50-pound, 150-foot hose up to the top of the Duke Field air traffic control tower during a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Airman 1st Class DeMichael Overstreet, a 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, attaches a streamer to the Duke Field air traffic control tower during a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Thirteen firefighters make their way to the top of the Duke Field air traffic control tower during a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. The firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Kanoa Weza, a 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, looks up to the top of the Duke Field air traffic control tower during a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Charles Conroy, a 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, begins the climb to the top of the Duke Field air traffic control tower during a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Airman 1st Class Steven Slezak, a firefighter with the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, lugs the 50-pound, 150-foot hose up to the top of the Duke Field air traffic control tower during a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Red, white and blue streamers sway in the breeze from the air traffic control tower at Duke Field Sept. 11. They were attached to the tower by 96th Air Base Wing firefighters during the first ever 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)
9/12/2011 - 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.
Comments
2/3/2012 6:17:06 PM ET I saw your blog and wanted to say I am a firefighter as well. You should be very proud of your son. Some people don't realize what a sacrifice first responders make to help others. I grew up in Livonia and once told my best female friend ever Colleen I wanted to be a firefighter and here I am at 60 still doing it.
Richard Davis, Troy Michigan
9/13/2011 7:03:47 AM ET My son, Jason Edney, was one of the firefighters climbing here today. I am very proud of him as well as the other First Responders. Every day they put others' lives before their own. Thank you Jason, John, Jim, Gabe and many many others. I love and appreciate you beyond measure.
