MADISON — Calling it an honor to recognize the “ultimate sacrifice first responders made on 9-11,” Madison Fire and Rescue Chief David Bailey discussed a first-time event by the Rocket City Trash Pandas at Toyota Field.
The free event to memorialize those who were lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks begins at 8 a.m. on Sept. 11.
In a “Tribute Stair Climb” to honor the first responders, local firefighters will climb the equivalent of 110 stories, the same amount of floors as each of the World Trade Centers Twin Towers.
“343 FDNY (New York Fire Department) and 71 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers kept rescuing civilians long after the danger to their lives was evident at the Twin Towers,” Bailey said. “It’s important to recognize all the brave souls who died at the Pentagon that day, military and civilian; to recognize the civilians on the four planes that died innocently that day, including the 40 brave crew and passengers on Flight 93 that fought the four hijackers preventing the crash into the Capitol building.
“It’s important to recognize the hundreds of dedicated men and women that worked the pile trying to first rescue their brothers and civilians; and then for months in recovery operations. Many have since suffered and died from cancers they acquired in their service.”
The Madison County Police and Fire Departments will present colors at 8:15 a.m.
“We will always need the brave willing to act and sacrifice to keep others safe,” Bailey said.
