CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS — First responders and members of the community will be paying tribute to those that lost their lives 19 years ago today. It’s a gesture they hope will ensure that those heroes are never forgotten.
This will be the first year that the Corpus Christi Fire Department and the Coast Guard climb Whataburger field stairs to honor fallen 9/11 heroes.
The stair climb will take place Friday at 8 a.m.
“One of my bassat mates, one of my ship drivers as one of a moral idea and something that we could do as a team and a local coast guard units to try and get everyone together to never forget," said Commanding Officer for Coast Guard Matthew Statkus
Each World Trade Center tower had approximately 110 flight of stairs and each person has the option to complete 110, 220, or 440 equivalent flights.
“Participants are encouraged its not required to wear anything that would represent the weight that the firefighters and first responders that those men and women wore almost 20 years ago today,” said Statkus.
A participant will pay tribute to an FDNY firefighter by wearing their name tag as they climb the stairs to never forget the names of the lost on September 11th.
“And it’s a way to honor them as well as their families as we remember a tragic event in America’s history,” said CCFD Battalion Chief Daniel Valdez Jr.
And a moment of silence will take place during the times the planes struck each tower. “Anytime we lose police officers, firefighters, first responders, this is a way for us to come together and kind of heal from the loss that we have suffered,” said Valdez Jr.
Masks are required, there will be a mandatory temperature check, hand sanitizer stations, and if you participate you will be separated to help with social distancing.
