The 2nd Annual Central Kansas 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb took place this past weekend, hosted by the Salina Fire Department at Kansas Wesleyan University. This poignant event brought together the community to pay tribute to the heroes of September 11, 2001.
SFD Fire Chief Tony Sneidar reflected on the enduring symbolism of the bell in the firefighter tradition. He noted that long before the era of telephones and radios, fire departments relied on the telegraph and the toll of the bell to convey crucial messages. Chief Sneidar explained that the bell's toll signified the start of a shift, notified departments of calls for help, and marked the completion of a call when a unit returned to the station. In the solemn event of a firefighter's line-of-duty death, the fire alarm office would sound a special signal, 5-5-5, as a sign of honor and respect—a tradition that continues to this day.
Kansas Wesleyan University President Matt Thompson underscored the importance of educating today's college students, many of whom were born after 2001, about the events of 9/11. He emphasized the value of coming together to remember the past and acknowledge the brave individuals in the community who willingly enter challenging and perilous situations to protect others.
State Representative Howe presented a proclamation from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, recognizing the significance of the Central Kansas 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb & Family Fun Walk.
The Central Kansas 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb & Family Fun Walk, serves as a powerful way to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives on September 11, 2001, so that others might live. Participants in the event pay tribute to these courageous individuals by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. This symbolic gesture not only remembers the sacrifice of FDNY members but also symbolically completes their heroic journey to save others.
Community members and firefighters united to ensure that each of the 343 firefighters was honored and that the world remembers that we will never forget. Tragically, since 2001, another 306 firefighters, emergency service technicians, officers, and paramedics have succumbed to diseases contracted while working at the World Trade Center site amidst the smoldering rubble.
The event featured Jenny Roberts, the wife of a fallen firefighter from Wisconsin, who shared her heartbreaking story. Her husband was overseeing a residential fire from the sky when his plane crashed on the fourth flyover. It was in the wake of this tragedy, with her young sons in tow, that Jenny discovered the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation and the invaluable programs it offers to help spouses and families in their healing journey.
All participants in the event honored the fallen by carrying the name badge of one of the 343 firefighters and received a 9-11 Stair Climb & Family Fun Walk t-shirt as a commemoration of the event. The proceeds from this meaningful gathering will benefit the FDNY Counseling Services Unit and the programs provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which has been instrumental in assisting the surviving families and co-workers of the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.
An after-event reception was held at Tumblweed, featuring musical performances by Lix and Jake Gill, offering a poignant and memorable conclusion to this day of remembrance and community support.
