'I do it to keep remembering': first responders honored at ETSU 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Dozens of students, community members and first responders climbed the height of the World Trade Center Friday morning at the William B. Greene Jr. Stadium to honor those who gave their lives to save others on 9/11. Hosted by East Tennessee State University, this is the first stair climb to have taken place on campus. "Seeing the men and women who are showing up today in full gear… it is absolutely inspiring," said Marielisa Cashman, coordinator and school certifying official for ETSU's Military and Veterans Services Office. Johnson City Fire Department District Chief Pete Sanders and Driver Engineer at Station #2 Andrew Michael Scott were among the attendees who climbed 2,200 steps Friday. "It's just amazing that those guys and women did what they did on that day knowing they had no idea what they were getting into when they got up there," Scott said. "Being able to commemorate that is really an amazing thing to be able to participate in." In their full gear, sweat drenched both of their uniforms as they took their last flight of stairs. Friday's climb marked 22 years of 9/11 memorial stair climbs for Sanders. "I do it to keep remembering," he said. "I just think about what they did, why they did it. People they didn't know, people they were sworn to protect. That means a lot and I would like to keep that alive." Sanders has been a first responder for 28 years, he said, adding he is privileged to have been doing his job for so long. Like most, he can remember exactly where he was when he heard the news of the attack. He wanted to help, he said, adding the tragedy never gave him doubts about his career. Instead, it strengthened his passion for wanting to serve the public. "When you start this job you have this grand image in your head," he said. "You get to do this for a few years and you understand that's not what it's about. It's about really genuinely wanting to help and if that means running into burning buildings or doing CPR… it's all doing the same thing — we all want to help." Cashman said the university plans to make the stair climb an annual event to remember first responders who climbed the burning World Trade Center.