“25 years ago, I was on duty in the city of Grand Rapids, and I remember watching the events across really the east coast unfold.”
Kevin Sehlmeyer later became a state fire marshal.
Today, he represents the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, which organizes annual stair climbs across the country to pay tribute to firefighters, police and EMS workers killed on September 11, 2001.
“It's a foundational part of the fire service that we’ll put our life in danger to help save other lives. And I think that's the part that is so strong with the first responder community, that they went to work that day just like we'd go to work too if we had a similar event.”
For the Grand Rapids climb, participants gather at LMCU Ballpark, climbing stairs the equivalent of the World Trade Center’s 110 stories, symbolically finishing the journey many did not.
“A lot of those firefighters made multiple trips up and down those stairs and they were working to get people out of the Trade Center. And we know this because survivors share the stories of their encounters with the New York City Fire Department.”
Proceeds from the stair climb support local firefighters and fund programs for families of the fallen nationwide.
The public is invited to the 25th anniversary Grand Rapids 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at LMCU Ballpark Saturday, September 12 with the opening ceremony beginning at 9 A.M.
Participants are asked for a $35 donation which includes a t-shirt; kids climb for free.
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