Georgia Southern hosts 7th annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Around 180 Eagle Battalion members climbed the concrete steps of Paulson Stadium Wednesday during Georgia Southern University’s 7th annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

The amount adding up to over 2,000 in replication of the 110 flights climbed by New York firefighters on Sept. 11, 2001.

“It’s a moment where we’re all doing this together, and we know what we’re doing it for. And we know the impact that it has,” said Cadet Nalecia Alford.

Most, if not all, of the Georgia Southern cadets participating were born after the terrorist attack on American soil.

For LTC Nicholas Bingham, a professor at the university, the horrible event means a little more.

“I remember the day. I was in high school. And so, going back out and doing an event like this where all those feelings and emotions come back, I think it’s a pretty powerful thing,” said LTC Bingham.

Several firefighters with the Statesboro Fire Department joined the cadets dark and early Wednesday morning.

They were in turnouts and carrying gear like the brave souls who climbed the twin towers over two decades ago despite smoke, debris and fear lingering in the air.

The cadets even wore badges with the pictures and names of first responders who died. After the stair climb was complete, their names were called out in remembrance.

“It’s ultimately allowing them to connect back to especially those first responders that gave their lives in attempting to save as many lives as they could that day,” said LTC Bingham.

Even though Statesboro is over 700 miles away from the big apple, the rural Georgia community is making sure the tragic event and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten.

“They were doing big things to save people they did not even know, so running for someone that I don’t know is very small compared to what they did,” said Cadet Alford.