Athens Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Athens Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Belongings left behind during a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Airfare ROTC sudents participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Athens Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Students participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Students and community members participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Students participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) UGA Army ROTC cadet Isiah Pangilinan carries the American Flag as he leads Athens Clarke County Firefighters during a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Airfare ROTC sudents participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Athens Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) Athens Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services participate in a memorial stair climb in Sanford Stadium to honor the lost lives during 9/11. (University of Georgia) University spokesman and 9/11 survivor Greg Trevor speaks to Athens Clarke County Firefighters and Army and Air Force ROTC cadets on Reed Quad before a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) University spokesman and 9/11 survivor Greg Trevor speaks to Athens Clarke County Firefighters and Army and Air Force ROTC cadets on Reed Quad before a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) Athens Clarke County Firefighters and Army and Air Force ROTC cadets listen to university spokesman and 9/11 survivor Greg Trevor on Reed Quad before a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium.during a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) A detail of the t-shirt of an Athens Clarke County Firefighter on Reed Quad during a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) UGA Army ROTC cadet Isiah Pangilinan carries the American Flag as he leads Athens Clarke County Firefighters at the start of the 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) Athens Clarke County Firefighters come down the stairs on during a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) UGA Army and Air Force Cadets run up the first few climbs of the stairs during a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) An Athens Clarke County Firefighter and Police officer walk together during a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) An Athens Clarke County Firefighter runs his last climb ahead of UGA Army and Air Force Cadets during a 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) Overhead views of UGA Army ROTC cadet Isiah Pangilinan as he carries the American Flag while leading the Athens Clarke County Firefighters during the 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) Overhead views of UGA Army ROTC cadet Isiah Pangilinan as he carries the American Flag while leading the Athens Clarke County Firefighters during the 9/11 Stair Climb inside Sanford Stadium. (University of Georgia) ATHENS, Ga. - The University of Georgia marked the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with its inaugural memorial stair climb at Sanford Stadium on Monday.
Over 150 participants, including members of UGA’s Army and Air Force ROTC, Athens-Clarke County fire and police departments, and the UGA Police Department, gathered at the stadium at 6 a.m. to honor the lives lost in the World Trade Center attacks. The event, organized by UGA’s ROTC groups, paid tribute to the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day.
Participants climbed 120 steps in the stadium 19 times, mirroring the 110 stories of the World Trade Center towers that first responders ascended on September 11, 2001.
"My stepdad was a fireman in New Jersey during the attacks, so it’s always been something big to me," said Emaleigh Drake, a UGA ROTC senior who helped organize the event. "The firefighters are already completing this in their gear, so we need to make sure it's strenuous on us."
Drake added that the organizers chose not to count the 120 steps back down as part of the set, believing it wouldn't be challenging enough.
The memorial event also featured a speech from a 9/11 survivor. Organizers hope to make the stair climb an annual tradition, continuing to honor the heroes who gave their lives that day.