📷 Young firefighters pay tribute to 9/11 victims; FHSU Memorial Stair Climb

By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post

Fort Hays State University paid tribute to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

The memorial stair climb began Saturday at 7:46 a.m. at Lewis Field Stadium, one hour before the first plane struck the North Tower in 2001. The opening consisted of the national anthem and a moment of silence.

Participants chose to run or walk the stadium steps or complete laps around the Lewis Field turf.

Dozens of first responders, including firefighters in full gear, honored 9/11 heroes by replicating the efforts of those who climbed the World Trade Center.

20-year-old Jose Amaya, a paid-on-call firefighter with the Ellis County Fire Department, said that although he was not born before 2001, he stayed motivated by imagining himself in the shoes of those who attempted the climb.

"We don't exactly see what those first responders did on 9/11, but we kind of get a feeling of what they had to suffer through to get up to the top of the World Trade Center," Amaya said.

18-year-old Kamdem Keller, a county firefighter, said he drew motivation from remembering the first responders who ran toward danger.

"When you're out here with this gear on and you're doing it, you realize these guys were making a push that not very many people could make," Keller said.

Gear typically weighs between 45 and 75 pounds.

After the climb, Amaya said he hopes the public recognizes firefighters’ dedication to serving the community.

"I'm glad I joined the fire department. They feel like a second family to me," he said.

Keller said he hopes the public will continue to support all first responders, including fire, law enforcement and EMT.

"Support your first responders, no matter what agency they are," Keller said. "These are tough jobs. You see some really challenging things, but if you're there to support them, it helps them give a deeper push in their day-to-day life."

As participants completed their laps, footage and audio from the New York attacks were displayed on the big screen at Lewis Field Stadium.

Breakfast was served after the climb.