The Little Rock 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is a memorial event that strives to keep the promise to Never Forget those who lost their lives when the twin towers fell. Hundreds of first responders lost their lives that day! Although the event is first responder focused, the community is invited to participate as a climber, volunteer, or sponsor. The morning begins with a solemn memorial ceremony to remember the fallen. Climbers will then be escorted into the building by pipes and drums as they begin their climb. Participants will climb 110 floors to symbolize the height of the twin towers. The number of participants is limited to the number of fallen first responders and each participant will wear a tag with the name and photo of a fallen hero. The event will also feature numerous symbolic events within our event, from September 11th!
Choreographed to 9/11---The climb begins at 8:00am, with a brief memorial ceremony. At 8:45am, a moment of silence is observed and at 8:46am the bagpipers and drummers will escort the first wave of climbers into the stairwell marking the time that Flight 11 hit the North Tower. Additional actions such as TAPS, activation of SCBA Pass Alarms and other items mark other significant points that occurred that day.
Table of Honor--- Prominently displayed the week before and leading up the climb in the building lobby, the Table of Honor has its origins as a military tradition. The table has been adapted to include specific elements for fire department, law enforcement and EMS with a "place setting" to recognize the sacrifices of firefighters, law enforcement and EMS killed in the line of duty.
Bell Ceremony--- A fire service tradition, the climber strikes a bell to honor the fallen responder they are climbing for.
Group Photo--- There will be a group photo at the beginning with all climbers The climbers will also have an opportunity to take group photographs following the climb with friends and family on the Little Rock 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb backdrop!
High Rise Pack---A 50' length of 2 1/2" hose is laid out in the registration area where the climbers and volunteers are offered a chance to place their names on it. Right before the climb starts, the hose is then folded into a compact high-rise fold and carried into the stairwell with the first group. It stays in the stairwell until the last climber exits.
On the morning of September 11, 2001 first responders from New York's Bravest and Finest responded to the terrorist attacks in order to perform the largest rescue and high-rise firefighting operation in history. Upon their arrival, firefighters climbed the stairs of the 110 story buildings in their forty to sixty pounds of personal protective gear PLUS twenty to thirty pounds of additional firefighting equipment. Law Enforcement Officers were right there beside them. The most poignant connection to their story occurs when "we climb because they climbed". Witnessing the event provides spectators (family, friends and the general public) both an inspiring experience and intense reminder of the sacrifice, dedication and commitment required of those who serve and protect their communities around the world.
Where it all Started...
The Little Rock 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb originated after individuals felt that an event, similar in nature to other events around the country, was needed in Little Rock, Arkansas to pay tribute to first responders of September 11, 2001. The Little Rock 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was established in 2019 by event director Roy Wert, II. His planning committee got right to work and secured the Jack Stephens Center as the venue for the climb. The stair climb is a sanctioned event of the Association of Memorial Stair Climbs, a 501(c)3, which strives to support stair climbs in their goal to Never Forget the fallen first responders lost on 9/11 and those that we continue to lose from 9/11 related illnesses. On the 7th of September, 2019, it was the Inaugural Event and it was a success! The event is NOW in it's 7th year and so we will be looking for sponsors and donations for our event, as well as volunteers to help out. We look forward to this event not only this year but for years to come as we have PROMISED to #neverforget the fallen!
SEE YOU AT THE 2025 LITTLE ROCK 9/11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB!
