Article written by DPS Communication Assistant Ruth Brisson, Newhouse ’29
“It’s humbling to just sit back and remember, and having an event like this to honor those who died serving our country is something that stays with you.”— Jeremy Welling
Twenty-five years ago, the Twin Towers fell as a result of an act of terrorism against the United States. The attack killed an estimated 2,977 people, and a little over 400 of them were first responders. Since that day, hundreds more have died due to lingering effects from their work at Ground Zero. September 11th is a day to remember those lost and honor them through action.
On Friday, September 11, 2026, Syracuse University Ambulance held the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb & Walk event at the JMA Wireless Dome. The event began at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time at which the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Joe Hernon, Associate Vice President for Emergency and Environmental Risk Services and veteran of the United States Air Force, did the walk in full uniform.
“In walking in the shoes of the firefighters and the first responders, police officers, Port Authority, everyone who went running in when people were running out and trying to represent their service and sacrifice… we’re doing it to symbolize what they did,” said Hernon.
Participants in the climb went all around the upper edge of the Dome, doing the steps in the bleachers.
Every participant received a badge with a first responder that passed away due to the 9/11 attack. Randy Jensen from National Fallen Firefighters Foundation spoke to participants before the event and asked of them, “While you’re walking or climbing, take a second and look at your badge. That’s who you’re walking for.” He continued: “When you get home tonight, research your person for me. They led meaningful lives, and we will remember them.”
During the event, the climb stopped for a minute of silence at 9:03 a.m., to mark the time Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. While stopped, many participants put their heads down and placed their hand over their heart for the whole minute.
Many different kinds of people attended the climb: the LeMoyne lacrosse team, community members, first responders, and students, all of whom came together to commemorate those who died that day. When asked about the impact of the event, Syracuse University Department of Public Safety Commander Jeremy Welling said, “We’re looking at it right now—we have a bunch of students, a bunch of younger people who weren’t even around or born during [the attack]. This is a way to have a part of the history of what happened.” Hernon reflected on the day and encapsulated the event as a whole.
“We say ‘never forget,’ but to truly honor that and to live that, I think these days are about finding a way to show their sacrifice, to show that we never forget.”