GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – With the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center approaching, Pierce Manufacturing and the Green Bay Metro Fire Department hosted the 12th annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field on Saturday.
“As we get further from the actual date, it’s so important for us to not only remember what happened that day but also that some of the issues and sacrifices that are still going on,” said Lieutenant Aaron Zamzow from the Madison Fire Department.
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Lieutenant Zamzow was in New York a couple of weeks ago for a National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) training. He said while he was there, he met some of the FDNY first responders that were on duty during the attack.
“One gentleman was getting off shift and I said, ‘Well what did you do’ and he said, ‘Well we looked at the trade towers, we called our families, we grabbed our gear, commandeered a bus, and started driving toward the trade towers,'” explained Lieutenant Zamzow. “They started driving towards where everyone else was trying to get away from.”
Lieutenant Zamzow was also able to meet the son of the Battalion Chief he was climbing for and said it made the climb more personal.
“Ray Charles,” he said. “I got to work with his son, Chief Charles Downey, and so it brings it to heart. To be able to talk to Chief Downey about his father and what really happened from that side was super moving.”
Over 2,200 people from across the U.S. registered and ascended the steps of Lambeau Field to climb the equivalent of 110 stories, the height of the fallen World Trade Center towers, making it their second-largest event.
“It’s just a wonderful thing to see the community come out, they’re climbing with their children, alongside firefighters who are wearing full gear,” explained NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “It’s humbling, to know that so many are out here to support.”
Hal Bryan from Oshkosh is one of those people. He’s not only a former EMT, but he also became the highest fundraiser for the event.
“I’m still shocked. I just wanted to give back and do something to show my support,” said Bryan. “I know what it’s like to be in that group of people who run towards the danger.”
He said this is an important event to him for many reasons but in order to participate, he had to prepare and train.
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“I know it’s cliché, but I went on kind of a fitness and wellness weight loss journey,” explained Bryan. “Six months ago, I would have looked at this event and been sad, because there’s no way I would have been able to manage it, and that was I’m happy to say, that was 70 pounds ago.”
He goes on to say it was important that he participated in the event because it was a heartbreaking and defining moment in his generation and it’s something he thinks is crucial that people never forget, and future generations never forget.
