Locals attend 7th annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Early Thursday morning locals gathered to honor and remember all the lives lost on September 11, 2001.
The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is an opportunity for people to come out, pay their respects to the over 300 first responders that sacrificed their lives on September 11, 2001.
The seventh annual event took place on Fourth Avenue and 16th Street, across the street from Sprouts.
Members throughout the community climbed the multi-story story building as a part of the event.
Their goal was to climb over 100 flights of stairs and two-thousand steps, with a special meaning behind these numbers.
“Pay homage to those that that paid the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 and to never forget and remember and put yourself through some of the steps of those that went in to rescue at the twin towers that day,” says Yuma Fire Department Captain Aaron Wonders, who helped put on the event.
Over 50 people showed up and participated, ranging from children to adults and first responders with some in full uniform.
This includes members from the Yuma Fire Department and the Yuma Police Department.
Deputy Mayor Carol Smith was a part of the climb and she says it’s the least she can do.
“I think it’s important to support the people that keep Yuma safe, you know everybody out here is the embodiment of courage. Our first responders often run towards danger and today is a reminder that sometimes they don’t return,” Smith says.
The event lasted from 5:30 to 7:30 a-m.
If you would like to join next year all you have to do is show up and sign a waiver.