MUSCATINE, Iowa – Members of the Muscatine Fire Department, Muscatine Police Department, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, and numerous other departments and regular citizens turned out this morning to pause and remember the First Responders and citizens killed in a deadly terrorist attack that occurred 23 years ago.
The morning began at 7 a.m. with a “Moment of Silence” at the Firefighter’s Memorial at the intersection of Cedar and East 5th streets with the United States flag at the station raised and then lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen.
The remembrance then shifted to the Muscatine High School football field where 61 First Responders and citizens took part in the memorial stair climb. Those participating went up and down the main grandstand a total of 18 times, reflective of the 2,200 steps or 110 stories that the first responders took as they rushed into the twin towers.
“I want to thank everyone who took time out of their day to participate in the 9/11 memorial and stair climb today,” Fire Chief Jerry Ewers said.
Ewers added that he knows it is not easy to take time out of the work day and remember those who climbed the stairs to help people while not knowing they would not be coming home as others were heading for the exits.
“We honor the 343 brothers and sisters from FDNY that lost their lives on Sept. 11 along with 72 law enforcement officers,” Captain Andrew McSorley said.
May we never forget.
“I believe it is important to honor, cherish, and remember the sacrifices our brothers and sisters made in the line of duty 23 years ago,” Ewers said.
The climb was highlighted by the ringing of a bell with the first one coming at 8:46 a.m., the time the North Tower was hit. Bells were also rung at 8:52 a.m., the time the first units arrived at the scene, at 9:03 a.m. when the South Tower was hit, at 9:37 a.m. when the Pentagon was hit, and at 10:30 a.m. when the fourth hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania.
McSorley said they are already making plans for next year’s stair climb, an event that has continued to grow in the number of participants for the past several years.
Ewers noted that everyone was a little sore after the stair climb but participants were able to go home (or back to work) to recover.
“Again, thanks to all who participated and to Captain McSorley for setting this event up,” Ewers said.