On Monday, September 11, 2023, at 9:30 a.m., the Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado, was not just a place for entertainment; it transformed into a solemn ground where heroes were remembered, sacrifices honored, and unity celebrated. The occasion was the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, a poignant event that allows participants to pay tribute to the brave firefighters of the FDNY (New York City Fire Department) who lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is a powerful and symbolic event where participants climb or walk the equivalent of 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Each step taken represents the dedication and challenges faced by the firefighters who ran into danger to save others on that fateful day. The event serves as a reminder that we will never forget the sacrifices made by these heroes.

This noble initiative not only honors the memory of the 343 firefighters who died but also supports the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in creating and maintaining programs that assist fire service survivors. The funds raised from this event provide assistance to the surviving families and co-workers of the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

Ameristar Casino, a gracious host, not only provided the venue for the event but also offered a post-climb luncheon for the participants. Many other casinos in Black Hawk joined in by contributing to the event, showing a strong sense of community support.

Wynter Harris, a participant from Evergreen, has participated in the event six times, including once virtually during the pandemic. She emphasized, “It’s not a race. It is to honor the fallen.” Another participant, Dan Fisher from Highlands Ranch, shared similar sentiments, stating, “It’s a great way to remember everyone.” He takes approximately two hours to complete the four laps of the stair climb.

5.11 generously donated all the t-shirts for the event, underlining their commitment to the cause. Mary Shea from Commerce City took the day off from work to participate. She expressed deep emotion for the fallen firefighters, saying, “I’m climbing for these guys.” Shea plans to reach out to the families of the firefighters she climbed for to let them know that their loved ones’ sacrifices are remembered.

The event saw support from various local public safety agencies, including the Black Hawk Fire Department, Black Hawk Police, and Gilpin Ambulance Authority, who ensured the safety of the climbers and directed traffic. Black Hawk Fire Chief Chris Woolley even took a photo with veteran Tyler Wilson, who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2005. Wilson joined the armed forces because of 9/11 and participated in the stair climb from his wheelchair, demonstrating incredible determination.

Black Hawk Fire Captain Trent Ingle delivered a moving speech, emphasizing how each step taken by participants represents the dedication of the fallen heroes and serves as a reminder of the challenges they faced that day.

For two decades, the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs have been a vital source of support for the programs of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Registration fees and fundraising efforts continue to provide assistance to the families and colleagues of the fallen firefighters.

During the event, climbers carried and matched photo cards of the fallen firefighters with the pictures in the stairwells, taking a moment to say a prayer or tribute for each individual. Lieutenant Jason Christian of the Black Hawk Fire Department explained the significance of the Bell ceremony, a tradition dating back 200 years, which signals the end of a firefighter’s shift or watch. He also demonstrated the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which serves as a lifeline for firefighters in hazardous environments.

Christian poignantly shared, “A special signal of three rings, three times each, represents the end of a comrade’s duties, their task completed, they are going home.” A moment of silence was held for all those who perished in the deadly event.

Climbers began their journey in the western stairwell, crossing over on the 34th floor and running down the eastern stairwell, repeating this four times to simulate the heroic efforts of the firefighters on September 11, 2001.

After the stair climb, participants gathered in the Banquet Hall for lunch and refreshments, sharing stories and experiences. Joe Teitsworth from Littleton, who had been participating for the 11th year, emphasized that this event serves as a reunion, with familiar faces returning year after year.

This year’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb brought together various fire safety groups from across the state, including the Dumont Dragons “from the Red Rocks Fire Academy,” as well as the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. It was a day filled with remembrance, unity, and a profound commitment to never forget the heroes who gave their all on that fateful day in 2001.