Local media: UC remembers 9/11 with Memorial Stair Run
Students take part in tribute to victims and first responders of 9/11
Local news media on Friday highlighted the University of Cincinnati's tribute to the victims and first responders of 9/11 during UC's Memorial Stair Run at Nippert Stadium.
Hundreds of students, including members of UC's Army and Air Force ROTC, took part in the memorial run up and down the steps representing the 2,071 stairs in the World Trade Center on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
The tragedy affected countless families and shaped U.S. foreign policy for the last 20 years.
“Sept. 11, 2001, should never be forgotten,” said Terence Harrison, program manager for UC's Veterans Programs and Services and an Iraq War veteran. “We would like the region to know that UC will never take their sacrifice lightly.”
Fox19 spoke to UC student and veteran Brad Wendeln about why he took part.
"It was a beautiful event. It was rough — a lot of stairs, a lot of work," he told Fox19. "But it was important for us to come out here and show that we don't forget what we went through 20 years ago and show our support for firefighters, police officers and veterans in this country."
Harrison told Local 12 that the stair climb reminds UC students and visitors about the sacrifice of first responders who rushed up the steps of the World Trade Center to save people and of the many victims who never made it out of the buildings.
More than 400 emergency workers in New York, including firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians, died trying to save people in both the North and South towers of the World Trade Center when they collapsed.
"I've done the stairs in a T-shirt and shorts and it wore me out, so it really showed the dedication of those who lost their lives — police, firefighters, EMTs and military members who lost their lives trying to make sure their fellow countrymen and women were safe," Harrison said.
"From a young age, every 9/11 at school, they honor it and it's so touching, and now to be a part of something to help remember is amazing," UC nursing student Maddie Strawser told Local 12. "It's very exhausting, but I know it's for a good cause so it's worth my time."
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