This year marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York City. This year, ETSU hosted a Remembrance Ceremony and Memorial Stair Climb at William B. Greene Stadium.
This Remembrance Ceremony brought together individuals from throughout the community, including students, faculty, staff, veterans and first responders, to honor the 2,977 lives lost in the attacks, as well as to recognize the courage and sacrifice of those who responded in the aftermath. The event provides an opportunity for reflection on both the tragedy of 9/11 and the enduring spirit of service and resilience that emerged from that day.
Dan Bishop, retired colonel and director of Military and Veterans Affairs at ETSU, said the ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of the values demonstrated on that day.
“Our annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony serves as a powerful reminder that while the events of September 11 occurred nearly 25 years ago, the values demonstrated that day — courage, sacrifice, unity and service to others — remain as important as ever,” Bishop said. “The participation of 87 climbers in the Memorial Stair Climb and the outstanding support provided by our Army ROTC cadets demonstrated that the next generation remains committed to honoring the sacrifices of those who served and responded on that historic day.”
This year, 87 participants completed the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which symbolically represents the 110 stories climbed by firefighters in the World Trade Center towers who responded to the attacks. The ETSU Army ROTC cadets played an important role in the success of the stair climb by assisting with event operations, participant support and logistical coordination throughout the event.
“We are also thankful for partners such as ETSU Athletics and Sodexo whose support helped make the event possible,” Bishop said. “We want our students to understand not only what happened, but also how Americans came together in response and how each of us can continue to serve our communities.”
The 9/11 anniversary remains a sobering day, but organizers say the response that arose in the American people continues to remind communities of the resilience demonstrated in the aftermath.
