The Marshfield Fire Protection District gathered Saturday, Sept. 13, at the football stadium to take part in a powerful tradition of remembrance. The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb has taken place for nearly a decade, with local firefighters, families, and community members joining together to honor the sacrifice of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Captain Tony Saitz explained the roots of the event, which mirrors stair climbs held in Springfield, Jefferson City, St. Louis, and Kansas City.
“We wanted to do our own, so we did,” he said. “The whole purpose behind it is to finish the climb for the individuals that were not able to that day.”
Participants climbed 2,200 stadium steps, the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center, while the names of all 343 firefighters who died in the line of duty on 9/11 were read aloud. Each climber also carried dog tags bearing the names of fallen firefighters, a tangible reminder of the lives cut short.
“It makes it a little more intimate,” said Saitz. “You will always have at least one, usually multiple, firefighters that you’re carrying for the day. Those are the people you are finishing the climb for.”
The ceremony concluded with a traditional ringing of the bell and remembrance of three local heroes: Lt. Matt Blankenship, Deputy Chief Ed Nolan, and Webster County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Burney.
“It’s our way to signify that we will never forget the sacrifices that individuals made that came before us,” Saitz added. “The fire service has a rich history and traditions, and it’s our duty to make sure they live on for the next generation.”
Following the climb, firefighter Trevor Bissell delivered a stirring address, reminding participants of the values that define the fire service.
“This isn’t just a workout on a Saturday morning,” Bissell said. “It’s a living memorial, a tribute, and a promise we carry forward that we will not forget those who died at the hands of the horrendous attacks on our freedoms.”
Bissell called on firefighters and community members alike to embrace the honor codes of the profession; integrity, professionalism, honesty, loyalty, and compassion.
“These values aren’t just words written in a handbook,” he added. “They are the living code of what it means to wear this uniform, to climb these stairs, and to honor those we lost.”
He challenged those present to carry the memory of the fallen into daily life.
“At the end of this climb, it isn’t just about reaching the top or finishing strong without a drop of sweat. It’s about who you become along the way and how your reflection guides you to your core values in the future.”
This year’s stair climb included wide participation from the Marshfield Fire Protection District and their families. Among those climbing were Chief Michael Taylor; Assistant Chief (Ret.) Rodney Thoms; Captains Tony Saitz, Andrew Blanton, Trevor Bissell, and Travis Cramer; Lieutenants Josh Smith, Waverly Thoms, and Greg Pace; Senior Firefighter Lisa McCarthy; Firefighters Debbie Taylor, Angela Fisher, Kailey Smith, Boden Smith, John Van Note, and Emily Swims; Cadets Natalia Cramer and Jace Cramer; Paramedic Brent Ewan of Cox EMS; and community supporters Danielle Blanton, Misty Cramer, Christina Cramer, Suzanne Thoms, Angie Smith, Dave Hubbard, Susie Ballard, Jim Clark, Tammi Clark, and Maria Fisher. Multiple children of local firefighters also joined the climb, making it a family effort to remember the fallen.
The event closed on a note of strength and unity.
“We climb today not in sorrow, but in strength,” Bissell declared. “Because the legacy of 9/11 is not only about tragedy… It is about unity, resilience, and service beyond oneself.”
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