On Sept. 11 at 8 a.m., the Blue Ash Fire Department and Firefighters Local 3203 sponsored the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Summit Park; proceeds from the event benefited the Carry On USA Foundation.
The Patriots Day program began with a moving remembrance ceremony at 8 a.m. It concluded with the presentation of the colors, taps and a three-volley salute by our Post 630 color guard; there were 13 members participating. There was also an invocation from the Blue Ash Fire chaplain, patriotic music including Buck Wilkins singing "God Bless America," and other tributes to honor and remember those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
At 8:46 a.m., the time the first World Trade Center tower was struck by an airplane, participating first responders began their climb up the observation tower. They climbed a total of 10 times to mirror and honor the 110-floor climb New York firefighters made to rescue victims in the World Trade Center; 343 firefighters died. Also displayed were 2,977 flags on Summit Park’s Great Lawn to represent all those killed in the attacks. There was a mini-museum and 9/11 display involving recovered steel from the World Trade Center.