Oklahoma State University
09/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 12:35
Honoring Heroes: the OSU 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb – a tradition of remembrance and tribute
Honoring Heroes: the OSU 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb - a tradition of remembrance and tribute
Monday, September 16, 2024
Media Contact: Brandy DeVous | Multimedia Producer | 405-744-5766 | [email protected]
On Sept. 14, the Oklahoma State University Fire Protection Society , along with the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, came together for its annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
The event, now a time-honored tradition, serves as a powerful tribute to the 343 firefighters and first responders who gave their lives trying to save others on Sept. 11, 2001.
A tradition of remembrance
The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at OSU symbolizes the 110 floors of the World Trade Center, representing the daunting task that first responders undertook on that fateful day in 2001.
The event, held in Boone Pickens Stadium, invites participants to walk, jog or run the equivalent number of steps to honor the courage, sacrifice and selflessness of the men and women who gave everything.
The FPS has been hosting the stair climb since 2017, with the event growing larger each year.
"It's more than just a way to get people together," event organizer and CEAT student Daniel Long said. "It's our way to recognize the courage and heroism exhibited on that day and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice during rescue efforts."
The FPS holds pride in having students organize this event from start to finish.
The memorial event has grown tremendously in the last seven years and continues to grow as more alumni are drawn to come back and participate.
"It means a lot," CEAT alumnus Beau Stevens said. "As a firefighter, seeing a student-led organization that I used to be a part of put on an event like this at OSU to remember the fallen gives me great pride to say that I'm an alumni of the FPSET program."
The 2024 stair climb
This year's climb drew over 210 participants, including students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni and first responders from across the region.
The event began by gathering the crowd and offering a prayer in honor of the men and women they were climbing for. Participants embarked on their stair climb, each step taken with the weight of history and honor in mind. Some carried small flags, while others wore lanyards containing names and pictures of service members lost during the attack.
A community united
The sense of community was palpable throughout the event.
The participation of local firefighters, first responders and even military personnel only reinforced the connection between OSU and the larger Stillwater community. This shared sense of purpose has become one of the defining characteristics of the climb.
For many, the stair climb was a deeply personal experience.
"I'm actually from New York, so I'm from about 15 miles east of Manhattan," said Olivia Anderson, OSU College of Education and Human Sciences student. "I was there when this happened in 2001. So, this is sentimental for me to be here and the fact that OSU is hosting this event is pretty special. In the two years I've attended, I've seen that obviously people's physical activity levels are very different. But you know, instead of sitting down and resting,a lot of people pushed through. I just kind of said to myself in my head,'They didn't have the opportunity to do that' these first responders.'"
"I was there when this happened in 2001. So, this is sentimental for me to be here and the fact that OSU is hosting this event is pretty special."
Even first-time participants were struck by the gravity of the event.
"The emotions are high for sure," said Duane Helmberger, Midwest City Fire Marshall and OSU Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology alumnus. "A, this is a very tough physical task. And then B, just finishing the climb for them and kind of putting yourself in the mindset they were when they were responding to that incident."
Honoring the fallen
As the event concluded, organizers were already looking ahead to next year's climb.
"You know, it's a nice memorial. It's a nice way to honor those who lost their lives and it's a way to engage with our students and the community," said Dr. Leslie Stockel, FPS associate professor of professional practice. "As years go on, we just try to promote the memorial as much as we can and hope to see more people participate."
Many participants echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that future generations will continue to honor the legacy of 9/11.
"When you are out there, it is not just about the stairs," said Jason Ray, senior agriculturalist with the Wheat Improvement Team at OSU. "It is about what happened. So, while you are climbing, make sure you focus on what you are here for."
The OSU 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is more than just a physical challenge - it is an act of unity, remembranceand tribute. Each year, students, faculty and community members take to the stairs, not just to honor the past but to inspire hope for the future.