9-11 Memorial Climbers Honor 403 First Responders Amidst Renewed Terrorist Threat

SAN DIEGO, California — Just days before the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and in the midst of reports of a growing number of homegrown Islamic terrorists, over 900 participants, each designated to remember a specific fallen hero, climbed 110 stories at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront as part of the San Diego Stair Climb in remembrance of the 403 emergency responders who gave the ultimate sacrifice that horrific day in 2001.

As tensions mount over reports of potential new terrorist attacks on America, firefighters, military, law enforcement and civilians came together in their hundreds to climb 110 flights of stairs, the same number as those in the Twin Towers, in memory of those who lost their lives on the original September 11th. Some participants made the ascent in full firefighting gear, others in SWAT gear.

Each climber bore the image of a 9/11 first responder to represent, either chosen by the climber or assigned to him or her. A corresponding “Wall of Heroes” on the event’s website memorializes the men and women that climbers stepped up to remember, putting faces and names to the over 400 heroes.

San Diego has been ranked among the top cities in the U.S. for known or suspected terrorists. Alleged ISIS terrorist fighter Douglas McAuthur McCain was recently found killed following a firefight in Syria. McCain spent a number of years in San Diego attending San Diego City College, and was reportedly involved with Masjid al-Nur, a mosque in a Somali refugee dominated community at the outskirts of the city.

Each year, approximately 100 firefighters die in service to their communities according to the San Diego Stair Climb website. Proceeds from the event will benefit FirefighterAid, which assists those who continue to put their lives on the line in service to their country and communities.

Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana

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