On September 11, 2001, life in the United States changed forever. It is a day that no one who was alive then will ever forget. We stood transfixed as scenes of terror were broadcast from New York City all around the country in the aftermath of two planes crashing into the World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. It was hard to make sense of what was going on; it seemed like a movie, not real life.
A significant part of what we saw included people running into the buildings that so many were running out from. Men and women trained to save lives risked their own to help as many as possible. For hundreds of New York Firefighters, it would be their final act of heroism. In the 25 years since that day, many have striven to ensure that we all remember, not just the fear and terror, but the courage and selfless action of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives. Part of that memorial is the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
On Sept. 11, 2026, Segra Stadium at 460 Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville will host the 25th annual Stair Climb. Participants will climb the equivalent of the 110 flights of stairs found in the World Trade Center buildings. The climb “remembers the sacrifice of an FDNY brother” and “symbolically completes their heroic journey to save others.” (NFFF website)
Past Stair Climbs in Fayetteville have included local firefighters, soldiers and civilians coming together to climb and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to help others in need. The firefighters even wear gear like their colleagues would have worn on that day as they answered the call to service.
The event is not only a symbolic memorial. It is a fundraiser to help benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, whose “mission is to honor America's fallen fire heroes; support their families, colleagues, and organizations; and work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury,” according to firehero.org. The funds raised by the 9/11 Stair Climb events go directly to the Foundation and the FDNY Counseling Unit, where they are used to assist those who have lost loved ones serving as firefighters.
In addition to the $35 registration, participants are encouraged to raise additional funds to support the Foundation. To incentivize fundraising and giving, and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the event, there are additional prizes awarded for different levels of fundraising. Those who give $110 or more will receive a challenge coin; $343 or more will get you a challenge coin and a phone holder; those who raise $500 or more will get both those prizes plus a stainless-steel water bottle; and raising $1000 or more will get all of the above plus a commemorative badge. All prizes bear the image of the NFFF logo as well as a 25th anniversary logo.
It is not too late to register to participate. To do so, go to https://nfff.akaraisin.com/ui/fayetteville26 or take advantage of onsite registration the day of the event, beginning at 6 p.m. The climb kicks off at 7 p.m. at Segra Stadium in downtown Fayetteville.