A climb to remember 9/11

First responders perform stair climb at YMCA to honor those lost

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Firefighters, police officers, and sheriff’s deputies walked into the Kokomo Family YMCA on Sept. 11, prepared for an ordeal. Some carried their service gear. Others bore the weight of their memories. But all of them were prepared to honor those who had fallen in the line of duty.

The 3rd annual 9/11 memorial stair climb took place on Sunday with a ceremony followed by a day of symbolic sacrifice as the first responders climbed to remember those lost on 9/11 as well as Howard County Sheriff’s Deputy Carl Koontz and Kokomo Fire Capt. Marty Meyers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony began with the presentation of colors in the YMCA lobby. Then, John Meeks of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, took to the podium to honor the fallen.

“For those old enough to remember, the images of that day will never leave us,” said Meeks. They will always be in our hearts and minds. Something that I had never seen before in my lifetime was that day and the years that followed. We were a country of one, much like we had to have been on Dec. 7, 1941. In the face of so much terror, some Americans rose above their fears and answered the call of duty.”

Meeks explained that the placing of four wreaths during the ceremony was to honor the 72 law enforcement officers, 324 firefighters, 2,487 civilians, and more than 7,000 serving military personnel lost on 9/11 and during the subsequent War on Terror.

Mayor Tyler Moore followed Meeks to add his voice in memoriam.

“It is a distinct honor to be asked to participate,” said Moore. “This has become one of the most touching, emotional, and beneficial events in our community. It not only honors those who lost their lives on that dreadful day, but also for our first responders who continue to go above and beyond the call of duty every day.

“Twenty-one years ago, men, women, and children got up and kissed their loved ones good-bye, not knowing it would be the last time they would see them. As the events that morning unfolded, it became a day in history when you remember where you were when it happened. You remember what you saw as it lives on in your memory. And though it has been 21 years, for some it is as if it was yesterday. So, we lift them up.”

Chief Doug Stout spoke on behalf of the Kokomo Police Department.

“From the law enforcement point of view, the sacrifices that were made by first responders continues on today,” said Stout. “May we never forget their sacrifice. May we never forget the work of police and firefighters, EMTs, telecommunications workers who took those phone calls, and the families who lost the lives of their loved ones. For everyone participating in events today, on behalf of the Kokomo Police Department, we thank you.”

Deputy Jordan Buckley of the Howard County Sheriff’s Department added his voice to those honoring the fallen.

“Regardless of the uniform we wear, we all sacrificed,” said Buckley. “We all know someone who has paid the ultimate price. ‘Never forget’ has to be a promise; not just words. Events like today put actions to words and honor who have fallen before us.”

Kokomo Fire Chief Chris Frazier closed the speeches by explaining the significance of ringing a bell three times in three sets. It is to mark the end of a firefighters career; an end of shift. The bell was rung, and then a 21-gun salute was fired in front of the YMCA building.

With that, the work of climbing steps in memoriam began, preceded by a moment of silence. First responders mounted the stair-climbing machines and simulated the scaling of 110 flights of steps which first responders faced at the World Trade Center as they sought to rescue those within the burning towers. Each participant strove to make the climb within 30 minutes; the amount of time the rescuers had before the towers fell to earth.

The event served as a reminder of the events of 9/11 and those who were lost, but it also served as a fundraiser. Donations made during the stair climb supported the Captain Marty Meyers and Deputy Carl Koontz scholarship funds. Donations still can be made by visiting www.kokomoymca.org.

For additional photos and video of the memorial, visit the Kokomo Lantern Facebook page.