Austin firefighters commemorated the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a solemn tower climb at the Pleasant Valley Drill Tower on Friday. The climbers ascended a total of 1,368 feet, equivalent to the height of the World Trade Center, to honor the brave firefighters who lost their lives on that tragic day in 2001.
Before 8 a.m., members of the Austin Fire Department donned heavy firefighting gear, complete with air packs and hose bundles, as they began their climb in East Austin. This year marks the 26th consecutive year that the department has conducted this climb to remember the victims of the attacks carried out by Al-Qaida terrorists, who hijacked four commercial planes. Two planes were crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, resulting in nearly 3,000 fatalities, including 343 firefighters.
The first memorial climb took place on September 12, 2001, making it the longest-running event of its kind in the United States, as noted by the Austin Fire Department. The event is characterized by its silence, with most participants climbing in full gear, which adds approximately 50 pounds to their weight.
Assistant Chief Andre de la Reza, who was in training at the time of the attacks, reflected on how this pivotal moment shaped the decisions of his cadet class. “It gave us a visceral understanding of the dangers of the job, and it made us make a conscious decision about whether we wanted to do it or not,” he stated. “And the answer was resoundingly ‘yes.’”
For de la Reza, the events of 9/11 cemented his commitment to becoming a first responder. However, many Austin firefighters today are part of a generation that was born after the attacks, lacking a personal connection to the events that unfolded that day. To ensure that the memory of 9/11 remains alive, the fire department is actively working to educate and involve younger members.
Firefighter Matthew Zwolinski brought his children to participate in the climb, where they assisted in distributing water and snacks while holding signs that read “Thank You First Responders” and “Never Forget,” adorned with images of the Twin Towers. Jennifer Penny, a close friend of Zwolinski, also attended with her children. “They may not fully grasp what we’re doing here, but I think it’s important that they know that we’re honoring the people lost,” she remarked. “I don’t want it to be forgotten ever. I can’t believe it’s been 25 years.”
For those who wish to pay their respects, the public is invited to join a free memorial stair climb at Mt. Bonnell at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
