Every year throughout the country, communities gather to climb 110 flights in honor of the nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their lives on September 11th. Among the 3,000 lives lost were 412 first responders who jumped into action at the World Trade Center on that day 19 years ago. This year, many of the events were made virtual due to COVID-19, but approximately 300 people gathered in Greenville, South Carolina to complete the memorial climb in person.
“Even with everything going on in 2020,” an organizer said, “it would be an injustice for everyone who died to cancel this climb. Everyone who lost their lives…that’s why it is so important to climb.”
Today, I had the immense privilege to witness a coming together of a community that works under stressful and dire circumstances, day in and day out. Watching their reverence to their calling, I was reminded of the immense gratitude I have for all the first responders who risk their lives every day for their neighbors in the face of emergencies small and large. Because they are willing to put their lives on the line, I can move through this country with the peace of mind that if something goes wrong, help is only a phone call away.
[Editors Note]: It is here that I want to remind you of the premise of this project — we are more alike than different and most people are good. As with all of my coverage in the past year, I hope it helps you gain a more full picture of the many pieces in the American puzzle.
