Firefighters Make The Climb To Remember Those Lost On 9/11

Firefighters across the state came together Saturday to annually honor the ones fallen during the September 11 terrorist attacks.

While 2020 brings its own set of challenges due to COVID-19, firefighters were not deterred to make this year’s event a reality.

Two firefighters met up at a metro YMCA to climb 110 flights of stairs. The number is symbolic of the 110 flights of stairs at the World Trade Center.

"Just looking and knowing they went into that dangerous environment, knowing they took that ultimate sacrifice, just tells me they are heroes," firefighter and climb co-coordinator John Linley said.

"I remember that day like it was yesterday and just feeling helpless," OKCFD Fire Station 17 Cpl. Sherry Summers said.

The way Cpl. Summers remembers 9/11 is walking up the stairs for Lawrence Veling.

"He was a father of three with Engine 235. He went in the South Tower (of the World Trade Center) and that was the last they saw of him," Summers said. 

More than 400 firefighters and members of law enforcement – 404 to be exact -- across the state climb the flights of stairs in honor of the same number of first responders who lost their lives.

Each participant wears the fallen hero's badge around their neck.

OKCFD Major Louis Marschik honors Karl Joseph while also climbing for Christopher Dill. 

"I came on a job here in Oklahoma City. He passed away in 2009 while working on an apartment fire," Marschik said.

The ones climbing today say their profession is about brother and sisterhood.

"When we lose a firefighter in New York, California, right next door in a metro city, we're all affected by it," Marschik said.

"We don't ever do anything by ourselves. We are always a team," Summers said.

The firefighters will hope to be back together in 2021 but are pleased with this year's event.