“What an honor it was to climb 110 flights for the men and women who perished on 9/11,” said Murphy Firefighter Tanner Smith, who participated in the Dallas memorial event Saturday, Sept. 7. “May we never forget their names or their great sacrifices.” Courtesy photo

Firefighter Tanner Smith of Murphy joined other area first responders in a solemn event dedicated to the memory of the 343 firefighters, 70 police officers and nine emergency medical technicians who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001, in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

Wylie Fire-Rescue had two teams, one participating in the Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and the other team in Oklahoma City. Each participant climbed 110 floors — the height of the twin towers – on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The 12th Annual Dallas climb was held at the Comerica Bank Tower, the second tallest building in Dallas with 60 stories. The first responders climbed 49 floors then 12 then 49 again to match the 110 stories of the World Trade Center.

“Events like these help honor those fallen and ensure we are teaching the next generation,” said the Wylie department.

The stair climb raises money for First Responders Children Foundation, which provides financial support for families of people killed in the line of duty.

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