GSU community remember 9/11 with Memorial Stair Climb

STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV)—About 100 people participated in a Memorial Stair Climb Wednesday to honor the lives lost on 9/11 at Paulson Stadium early morning.

The Georgia Southern University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program hosted their 6th annual Memorial Stair Climb.

343 firefighters died when the towers collapsed, many while climbing stairs to rescue victims trapped.

“The event is meant to replicate the search and rescue efforts on the World Trade Center,” said Nick Bingham, a Military Science Professor at Georgia Southern University. “It is really a physical mission for these cadets, but really it is all about the remembrance. Remembering the vulnerability, we felt as a nation following the event.”

Campus veterans, local law enforcement and local fire departments were invited to participate in the event. For honor and motivation, participants will wear a badge with the name and photo of someone lost in the attacks.

“(This is for) understanding the lives lost,” said Ben Calvert, a Battalion Commander. “The people who took those calls that morning, those 343 firefighters that unfortunately lost their lives, and the many more that chose to serve after that. That is the reason we are out here today. To remember those who answered the call.”

Participants climbed 110 flights, that 2,200 stairs to honor those brave first responders.