Tennessee ROTC programs climb stairs at Neyland to honor 9/11 first responders

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — Students at the University of Tennessee seeking to honor the first responders who worked to save lives on Sept. 11, 2001, climbed stadium stairs Wednesday. It’s been 23 years since the September 11 attacks that resulted in the death of hundreds of Americans.

Approximately 230 Army ROTC and 140 Air Force ROTC cadets and staff members climbed the stairs at Neyland Stadium to commemorate the first responders who rushed to save lives at the World Trade Center towers in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

They began the climb around 6 a.m.

“It’s tough to put into words, the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for home and country, it’s hard to live up to that standard,” UT Air Force ROTC cadet Peyton Jenkins said. “That’s what we strive for. If we pay the ultimate sacrifice, that’s an honor for us. If we get that opportunity, but, this morning it’s all about them and not about us.”

When the Twin Towers fell in New York City, many first responders’ lives were lost. While many of the participating cadets may not have been alive at the time of the attacks 23 years ago, the annual events to honor the fallen have become a part of many American lives.

In New York City on Wednesday night, two blue beams positioned to echo the Twin Towers will light up the sky, PIX11 reports , and the Tribute in Light will last from dusk until dawn and can be seen as far as 60 miles away.

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