Photos: First responders take part in Memorial Stadium stair climb to remember 9/11
Hundreds took part in the annual Memorial Stadium stair climb Friday morning on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Waterloo Fire Department firefighter Cameron Schmeeckle, right, puts on his gear before participating in the 9/11 memorial stair climb Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Waterloo firefighters Cameron Schmeeckle, left, and Nate Trofholz wear respirators and carry 40 pounds of gear while participating in the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
People climb the stairs of the North Stadium during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Army ROTC cadets stand at attention before taking part in the 9/11 memorial stair climb Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Erika Thomas, public information officer for the Lincoln Police Department, right, climbs the steps of the West Stadium during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Crete firefighters Landon Chao, left, and Tim McLaughlin take a quick rest as they watch people climb the steps of the West Stadium during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Crete firefighter Tim McLaughlin carries an American flag up the North Stadium steps during the 9/11 memorial stair climb Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Crete firefighters Tim McLaughlin, left, and Landon Chao take a quick rest as they watch poeople climb the steps of the West Stadium during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
An Army ROTC cadet climbs to row 25 of the West Stadium during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Hundreds of participants climb over 2,071 stairs, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers, during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Waterloo firefighters, from left, Cameron Schmeeckle, Nate Trofholz and Isaac Workman wear respirators and carry 40 pounds of gear while participating in the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Army National Guard Second Lt. Branson Starns takes a moment to rest after carrying his rucksack up the steps of the North Stadium during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Crete firefighter Tim McLaughlin carries an American flag up the North Stadium steps during the 9/11 memorial stair climb Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Hundreds of participants climb over 2,071 stairs, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers, during the 9/11 memorial stair climb Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Lincoln firefighter Jacob Wilderman leads the Station 6 crew down the steps of the South Stadium during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Air Force ROTC cadets climb the south stadium steps as the sun begins to rise during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Memorial Stadium
Lincoln Police Department officer Cameron Hruza takes a moment to catch his breath in the north end zone after the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Memorial Stadium. “Honestly, it's a great exercise, but more importantly, as a first responder, 9/11's a really big deal for us.” Hruza said. “It's something that's constantly brought up in our line of work. Getting out here for the memory of something that happened when I was a year old, but my parents were both police officers when it happened, so it hit a little closer to home for us. It's always good to get out here and just help help the remembrance of it.”
Air Force ROTC Lt. Col. Caden Thompson, first right, and Cadet Maj. Brandon Dubas, right, take a minute to catch their breath at the top of the south stadium steps during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Memorial Stadium.
An Air Force ROTC cadet climbs the south stadium steps as the sun begins to rise during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Memorial Stadium.
Army ROTC cadets climbs down the west stadium steps during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Memorial Stadium.
Alexander Kuszak climbs down the steps of the west stadium during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Memorial Stadium. When asked why it was important for people to remember 9/11, Kuszak stated: “Ultimately, I think it's really just a picture of what America is at its best. It was an incredibly tragic moment for our country, but it was also a moment that allowed us to all come together as countrymen and women and stand together to support everything that makes this country great.”
Air Force ROTC cadets and a member of Team RWB climb the south stadium steps as the sun begins to rise during the 9/11 memorial stair climb on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Memorial Stadium.
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, students, veterans and first responders climbed the stairs at Memorial Stadium in honor of the thousands who died Sept. 11, 2001.
Origami cranes became a symbol of hope and healing after 9/11. Standing Bear High School students used a class period Friday to create their own colorful display of commemoration.
