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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – September 11, 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic September 11 attacks.
About 600 people gathered at Kroger Field on Thursday to climb the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs – the same number that first responders climbed in the attacks – to honor the 403 firefighters and police killed on September 11, 2001.
Members of the Lexington Fire Department, Lexington Police Department, military personnel and civilians were among those who completed the climb. For many, the rise is personal and emotional.
Melissa Kamphake, owner of Big Blue Strength and wife of a Lexington firefighter, completed the climb with her son, Joseph.
“My husband… is a firefighter so he risks his life every day and so it means a lot to us to be able to do this for the people who sacrificed their lives on September 11,” said Melissa Kamphake.
This year the climb moved from the 5/3 Bank building to Kroger Field. Kamphake remembers being on the University of Kentucky campus as a student during the attacks.
“I remember being here in the UK when it all fell apart and when it happened. My college roommates – we all talk to each other on September 11th, so I think about this event every year when it happens. Now I know how long I’ve been in Lexington since I got here when it happened and I remember all the things we felt that day, ”Kamphake said.
Like Kamphake’s son Joseph, some who complete the climb are not old enough to remember 9/11. Battalion Commander Jordan Saas says events like this help educate younger generations about what happened.
“It is important to educate the younger generations. There are people climbing today who were not even born when 9/11 happened… we have to help the younger generations remember what happened, ”said Chief Saas.
Each climber received a card to carry with the name of a first responder who died during the attacks. Just before their last ascent, the participants rang a ceremonial bell. According to Lexington firefighter John Barnott, it’s a tradition.
“It’s a tradition of the police and firefighters, it’s kind of a last call. Then they’ll ring and say the name of the person they’re climbing for. And then the last climb is the memorial, ”Barnott said.
Climbers say it could take an hour to four hours to complete the 110 flights of stairs.
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