Sept. 11 memorial stair climb at Medlar Field will remember, honor fallen firefighters
A Sept. 11 memorial stair climb will be held at Medlar Field in State College to fundraise for families of first responders who have lost someone in the line of duty and to honor those who have died.
The event started after the deadly terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, in which two hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia and another plane crashed in a field in Shanksville. The attacks killed almost 3,000 people.
“These events are now held all over the country at venues where you can climb the equivalent of 110 stories like the first responders did (during) the twin towers tragedy,” a press release for the Central PA 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb states.
In its fourth year at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the event, hosted by WHVL-TV, will be held Sept. 17. The day begins at 8 a.m., when participants can sign up, followed by a ceremony to honor first responders locally and nationally. People can start climbing the stadium’s steps at 10 a.m. The climb ends at noon.
Some local fire stations, like Alpha and Boalsburg, will climb as teams and wear all their gear to show appreciation for what the firefighters did during Sept. 11, 2001 or fighting any fire, the release states.
James Pletcher is a firefighter for the Alpha Fire Company in State College. When he participated last year, he and two other Alpha firefighters did the climb in full gear; that alone is a lot, he said, not to mention the emotions that come with the climb.
“You’re walking with a lot of weight on and, you know, from a physical aspect, it’s a lot but it’s also just a good emotional reminder. It not only brings back memories of the two towers falling, but in today’s age, I feel like it’s also a good way to talk about and discuss the people that have fallen year after year,” Pletcher said.
Alpha firefighter Nicholas Pagotto will participate this year for the first time. He hasn’t been able to do it in past years and said he’s excited to do it this year.
“I feel like it’s an honorable thing to do being in the fire service. I’ve always wanted to do it,” he said. “...I think it will just be a good event to understand and honor the people that we lost on 9/11.”
Doing the climb in full gear will allow them to “put your feet in their shoes” and better understand what the firefighters had to go through, he said. Feeling the physical strain that the Sept. 11, 2001 firefighters felt is something he hopes to take away from the event.
Participants can wear a badge of someone that they are honoring.
“It’s just a good reminder of, you never know where you’re gonna be, you never know how high you’re gonna have to climb, what situation you might come into,” Pletcher said. “You’re in your thoughts for a long time. I think it’s the main reason so many people like to do runs without headphones on, they’re just in their own head. I think it’s a good thing, it’s therapeutic in a way.”
Much like a “last call” for those first responders who have died can be an emotional experience, this event evokes the same feelings, Pletcher said. It’s an opportunity for people to remember those who have died and brings everything into perspective, he said.
It’s also an opportunity for first responders participating to gauge their own physical health, which is an important aspect for firefighters.
“At the end of it, if you made it, good. But if you were like, ‘I really had to push that last little bit,’ it gives you something to work on,” Pletcher said. “Just for your own safety, you know, make sure you’re physically fit.”
Pagotto added: “Especially with the high-rises we have in State College. I mean, we don’t go up 110 stories, but we still have 10 to 12 (stories). … The physical aspect is always there.”
There’s no rush to finish, though Pletcher said he’ll be in a competition with his time last year.
He encourages families and other first responders to participate. Anyone can sign up online at nfff.akaraisin.com/ui/centralpa22 with a $35 registration fee.
Funds raised through stair climbs go toward programs provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support the families of local fallen firefighters and the FDNY Counseling Services Unit.
Participants will get a T-shirt and a goody bag from event sponsors. Food and refreshments will be available before, during, and after the climb.
