Four members of Gordon County Fire Rescue joined firefighters and first responders from around the world Saturday to honor the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Lt. Adam Dortch, Sgt. Josh Oliver, Sgt. Erik Amador and Probationary Firefighter Josiah West represented Gordon County Fire Rescue at the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday, September 5, at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.
The annual event, hosted by the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund of Georgia, honors the sacrifice and legacy of the 343 New York City firefighters who died while responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center.
This year’s climb carried added significance as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Participants climbed in remembrance of the firefighters who entered the World Trade Center towers that morning to rescue people trapped inside, many of whom never made it back out.
The Atlanta event also drew international participation. A group of 343 first responders from the United Kingdom and Ireland joined the stair climb, traveling to Georgia to help honor the legacy of the FDNY 343.
For Dortch, Oliver, Amador and West, the climb provided an opportunity to represent Gordon County while paying tribute to fellow firefighters whose actions on September 11 have remained a symbol of courage and sacrifice for the fire service.
Beyond remembering those who died, the event also supports firefighters and their families. Proceeds from the stair climb will benefit first responders in need and their families throughout Georgia.
The annual memorial climb is one of numerous events being held this year as communities across the country commemorate 25 years since the September 11 attacks and remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day.