Queens hosts 9/11 firefighter memorial climb for families

On a Sunday morning in October 2024, approximately 400 first responders and supporters participated in a commemorative climb at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. This event, organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, was held to honor the memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks and those who have succumbed to related illnesses since. Each participant wore a badge with a photo and name of one of the fallen firefighters while aiming to complete 2,200 stairs, symbolizing the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Participants included notable figures from the FDNY and local councils, enhancing the event's solemn atmosphere. The climb serves not only as a tribute but also as a significant fundraiser, typically raising around $100,000 annually to support the FDNY Counseling Service Unit. This unit provides crucial mental health support for active firefighters and families affected by on-duty deaths, underscoring the ongoing impact of the attacks nearly twenty-three years later. Joan York, a participant who lost her husband on 9/11, expressed the importance of counseling services for those grieving. The event holds additional significance as it seeks to expand across the country, with plans to conduct at least one memorial climb in every state by the 25th anniversary of the attacks in 2026. The collective effort not only remembers the past but also aims to ensure ongoing support for those affected in the firefighting community. Moments of silence were observed during the ceremony to mark the times when the Twin Towers fell, highlighting the solemnity of the occasion.