This year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) commemorated the 21st anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with two events – the 6th Annual Stair Climb and Family Walk on Saturday, September 17, and the 2nd Annual Memorial Bike Ride on Sunday, September 18 in Mendon. Firefighters, First Responders, their families, and the community-at-large came out for both events, demonstrating that the Greater Rochester community will never forget the fallen heroes and those still suffering from the illnesses they contracted as a result of the attacks. Over $23,000 was raised over the weekend.
The Stair Climb and Family Walk honored and remembered the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live. Each participant paid tribute to a FDNY Firefighter by climbing the stairs or walking the track at Frontier Field in the equivalent of climbing the stairs of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center Towers. Individuals honored the sacrifice of the 343 firefighters lost, and symbolically completed their heroic journey while raising funds to help others still suffering from the attacks. Each participant carried a photo of a fallen firefighter. They rang the memorial bell and said the name of their firefighter as they completed their journey for the day.
The opening ceremony commenced shortly after at 8:30 a.m. The guest speaker was FDNY’s own Firefighter Bill Ingram who responded to the attacks and was in the Towers on September 11, 2001. He shared his thoughts about that day and how it has changed the world. It was an emotional, yet motivational speech from one of the heroes who ran in and somehow managed to survive the attacks, while helping others escape the horrors of the day.
The other way NFFF honored the fallen heroes was by hosting the 22 Miles for 21 Years Memorial Bike Ride through Mendon on Sunday, starting at the Mendon Fire Department. Participants started to arrive around 7:30 a.m. and the ride began after opening remarks at 8:46 a.m. Each participant rang the Memorial Bell and announced the name of the Fallen Firefighter that they rode for as they completed their ride.
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Photos by Christopher Martin.
