Local fire departments from all over Northern California gathered Wednesday morning on top of the Renaissance Tower to participate in a memorial stair climb, an event to honor the 343 fallen firefighters from September 11th, 2001. The firefighters climbed 110 stories, to cover the same number of stories in the World Trade Center Towers, while wearing full gear and were presented with the name of a fallen firefighter to honor during their climb. The Renaissance Tower, located at 801 K street, is only 28 stories tall. They looped the building three times, from basement to roof, to replicate the height of the towers in New York back in 2001, a tribute to the first responders who lost their lives. Sacramento has hosted this 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb since 2008.
Once they reached the roof, a bell was rung to signify they completed the 110 story climb. The name plaque of the firefighter was then left at the top of building at the site of a 9/11 memorial. KFBK reporter Mike Blount was able to attend the Sacramento 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. The interview with Sacramento City Fire Captain Keith Wade is linked below.
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At Cal Expo, the permanent 9/11 Memorial held a ceremony Wednesday morning to honor those who lost their lives. The exhibit is said to be home to the biggest memorial in the western states. In the memorial plaza, there is a ball of granite water sculpture with all 3,000 names and over 125,000 pounds of steel from the World Trade Center Towers, including the horizontal support beam from the North Tower. The exhibit will be open to the public today for free with free parking, until 6pm.
In West Sacramento, an empty field has been turned into a 9/11 memorial. For 18 years, John Vinson has gathered friends and family to create a tribute to those fallen from the 9/11 attacks. It started with a flag to represent each person who died, now over 60 flags have been added to represent each nationality of person who perished. Vinson was inspired to honor the sacrifices made that day and to remind Americans of the unity and Patriotism shown on each anniversary, even 18 years later.
The memorial is located at the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Locks Drive until Thursday Sept. 12th.