More than 100 people climbed the stairs of the Jefferson State Office Building in Jefferson City on Saturday in remembrance of the 343 firefighters who died trying to save others during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
A total of 2,600 steps was climbed in 10 trips to the top of the 13-story building, the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center towers as part of the Missouri Fire Marshal 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, according to information from the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Following an opening ceremony, a bell was struck, and the 108 climbers moved from the parking garage (where the ceremony was held due to rain in the forecast) to the Jefferson Building at 8:46 a.m. — the time the first hijacked plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At 9:03 a.m. — the time the second hijacked plane crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center — climbers began ascending the stairs of the Jefferson Building.
Climbers wore lanyards with the names and photographs of each of the 343 firefighters who died at the World Trade Center, and many participated in full firefighting gear.
The event raised more than $15,000 for fallen firefighters’ survivors.