On Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8:30 a.m., Segra Stadium will host its fourth annual 9/11 Stair Climb to honor the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service on that day.

The events of September 11, 2001, are etched firmly in the memory of many Americans. Even those not old enough to remember the fear and horror of that fateful Tuesday morning understand the magnitude of those four hijacked planes and how they forever changed the face of this country.

A coordinated series of attacks against the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and an unsuccessful attempt against the U.S. Capitol, resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives. Of the 2,997 confirmed casualties on 9/11, 415 were emergency workers, which included 343 firefighters.

Segra Stadium, in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, hosts the fundraiser each year to honor the fallen firefighters of 9/11 and provide additional financial support to their families.
The stair climb can be held in any state. Until four years ago, Charlotte was the only city in North Carolina that participated in the yearly event. Under the direction of Rachel Smith, senior manager of events and guest services for the Woodpeckers, the event has become a community staple — drawing over 500 participants for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11
last year.

Having worked the climb at a host site in Pennsylvania, Smith felt strongly about bringing the event to Cumberland County.

“I think it's such a special event that pays tribute to the fallen and their families,” she said. “It's so important their sacrifice isn't forgotten. Also, some of these funds go to fallen firefighters local to our communities. Through this event, we can not only honor those we lost twenty years ago but the ones here at home as well.”

The free event is open to spectators, and the community is encouraged to come to pay their respects. However, it's important to remember that this is an event of remembrance, not celebration. A bell will sound at 8:47 a.m., the same time the North Tower was struck, to begin the climb. At 9:03 a.m., a second bell will chime, symbolizing the attack on the World Trade Center's South Tower. As participants make their way around the stadium, radio calls from that day will sound from the speakers as teams of firefighters and other first responders complete six circuits, totaling about 2200 stairs- representing the 110 flight ascent of the FDNY on September 11.

Participation is open to all, not just first responders. The registration fee of $35 includes participation in the climb, a T-shirt, and an honor badge with the name of one of the fallen.

The impact of 9/11, the deadliest terror attack on record, will never be eased or erased. It's an event that will burn within the pages of history forever. Still, gatherings like Segra's 9/11 Stair Climb ensure the names, faces and sacrifices of true heroes will not be buried under the rubble of time.

When tragedy unites us, forgetting is never an option; what counts is how we choose to remember.