Service members honor fallen first responders with 9/11 stair climb in Gulfport

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV) — Thursday marked the 24th anniversary of the largest act of terrorism in our nation’s history.

The Seabee base in Gulfport remembered the anniversary of 9/11 with a stair climb representing the flights first responders climbed on that day in the twin towers.

Emergency dispatch calls from the World Trade Center played over a speaker as service members climbed an outdoor staircase on base 13 times for one tower or 26 for both. This is in remembrance of those who gave their lives to rescue others on that somber day in 2001.

Some participants were dressed in full gear as they climbed, bearing extra weight – same as the firefighters entering the World Trade Center. Some shared stories on where they were when the towers fell.

Captain Ana Franco recounts the day as being filled with worry, and the aftermath uncertain.

Being that its been 24 years, many of the service members participating in the stair climb were not alive at the time of the attack. The ones we spoke to say this is an opportunity to remember and honor the first responders who lost their lives.

It took around an hour for the service members to finish the tough climb, which was followed by a remembrance ceremony detailing the events of 9/11.