By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
To honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, the Tiger Fitness Center at Fort Hays State University organized a memorial stair climb in Hays.
Hays Fire Department Deputy Chief Shane Preston and nearly 200 other participants paid tribute on Saturday to the courageous firefighters and victims of the attack.
"Personally, it's a reminder of that day and what those firefighters did to honor their memory," Preston said.
The memorial event began at 7:46 a.m., one hour before the first plane hit the North Tower in 2001. The opening featured the national anthem, a tribute to current first responders and veterans, and a moment of silence.
Participants could choose to run or walk up the steps of Lewis Field Stadium or do laps around the track.
About 10 to 15 firefighters from Hays, equipped with their gear, participated in the climb, mirroring the efforts of first responders who entered the World Trade Centers.
Gear typically weighs between 45 and 75 pounds.
"I know people are young and were not born at that time, but it's good for them to remember what happened that day and show support for their community," Preston said.
18-year-old Myah Mateheyer took part in the commemorative climb and said it was a challenging task but one done to show appreciation.
"I respect all the hard work they do," she said. "My dad used to be a firefighter, my uncle is a firefighter, and I have a couple of cousins in EMS."
Mateheyer completed 42 laps up and down the bleachers, separated as the first responders had their own designated climbing area.
"Seeing the firefighters in gear really set the tone for the day," Mateheyer said.
Drew Gannon, director of the Tiger Fitness Center, organized the 4th- annual climb to commemorate the heroic actions of the men and women of New York.
"For me, it's about the heroic actions of our first responders, co-workers and innocent bystanders caught in the mix of it all," he said.
Gannon organized the first stair climb on the 20th anniversary of the attack with the help of five students and his wife's encouragement.
"This has turned out to be an event that I never dreamed would be at this size, of this magnitude," he said.
Serving breakfast was a new addition to the memorial stair climb, meant to strengthen the bond between the community and first responders.
Preston said events like the stair climb are important for firefighters to feel that the community backs their efforts, even while away from their families.
"It's a reminder for our firefighters to know that the community supports them," he said. "We make a lot of personal sacrifices... to come out and show their appreciation to us. That's that's the biggest thank you that we can get."
As participants completed their laps, footage and audio from the New York attacks were displayed on the big screen at Lewis Field Stadium.
The Hays Fire Department is seeking young people ages 14 through 18 who are interested in serving their community through its Explorers Program.
You can learn more about the program here.
