SAN ANTONIO -- Around 200 San Antonio firefighters began this September 11 honoring the firefighters who lost their lives eleven years ago.
They climbed the stairs to the top of the Tower of the Americas to symbolize the steps New York firefighters took at the Twin Towers. Step by step, the firefighters climbed hundreds of stairs for the 343 fallen firefighters lost on 911.
"This is our way to remember them," explained Dawn Solinski. "When we're climbing and our legs are burning, they're legs were burning too. When we're tired, we can remember, they kept going."
Dawn helped organize the 1st Annual Tower Climb. Several hundred firefighters from all over the area took part. Everyone who took part in the walk was given a picture of a firefighter who lost their life on 911.
The event also attracted others who wanted to pay their respects.
"I just want to do anything I can to keep their memories alive," Christy Hatch.
Christy is a flight attendant and worked with crew members who died that day.
"They were colleagues; they were friends. They had families who, you know, said goodbye to them one day, and then they never saw them again," Christy said. "And I guess I just think about that so often."
The money the climbers raised will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The climb was the 1st Annual Tower Climb. Firefighters expect to hold the event next year as well.
