GREEN BAY, Wis. — Thousands of citizens and firefighters came out to Lambeau Field for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to honor the fallen fighters that responded to the terrorist attacks that day.
One of the participants, Hal Bryan, took his first step to climb the equivalent of 110 stories.
That was the height of the Twin Towers that fell as part of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. It was his first time doing the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field.
“Six months ago, I could not have completed this climb, and that was also 70 pounds ago and I am very happy to be here and know that I am going to be able to complete this climb and make it through in honor of those 343 firefighters,” said Bryan.
Each climber went up the stairs in memory of one of those fallen firefighters. For Bryan, that firefighter was Joseph Rivelli Jr.
He said he picked the name at random but found out there was a connection between them.
“I’m a lifelong pilot and he was learning to fly when he died and he was looking forward to retiring from the fire department in the couple of years and flying. So that was a profound connection for me. I’ll be thinking of a man I never met, Joseph Rivelli, during the entire climb,” said Bryan.
The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is a fundraiser for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The organization honors fallen firefighters and supports their families.
Pierce Manufacturing organized the event, which included many firefighters in their full gear making the climb.
“It really is truly important to us that we don’t forget and with Pierce Manufacturing building firetrucks, you know, we are building them for these firefighters so anything we can do to support their industry, we are very proud to do that,” said Becky Arnoldussen, Pierce Manufacturing associate marketing manager.
The organization raised about $135,000 and counting for the NFFF this year, with Bryan being the top individual fundraiser.
“Thanks to an extremely generous network of friends around the world that I am very lucky to have, I found myself in the position of being the top [individual] fundraiser. I was very humbled by that,” said Bryan. “At the end of the day, none of this is about me. It’s about those we lost that day. It’s all the first responders, the firefighter in particular, anyone who runs toward the danger.”
Before Bryan reached the end of this climb, there was a bell. The bell represents the 78th floor, which was the highest floor that the firefighters reached that day. Each person said the name of the firefighter they climbed for.
“To be able to do that, to make symbolic completion of his climb and all the others is profound,” said Bryan. “It’s humbling.”
Bryan said 9/11 will always stick out in his mind as one of the most dreadful things that has happened to our country.
However, he said he is thankful that thousands of people have come out to honor the sacrifice of these firefighters and to never forget what happened that day.