If you can believe it, we are less than two weeks away from the 23rd annual commemoration of the September 11th attacks. Everyone remembers where they were that day. For me, I was in 3rd grade. Our principal came into our classroom and told us something bad had happened and our parents would be picking all of us up soon.
At the time, I didn’t know any better. As the early years past and I became older, you quickly understood the importance of that terrible day - and the immense ramifications for how the entire world changed. Each year, I like to re-read this Politico article (linked here) and rewatch a documentary or movie about that day. It helps keep the memory fresh.
I may re-read a small article, but a number of fantastic organizations over the years have begun to sponsor events to remember the lives lost on September 11th. One of those events this year is sponsored by Naples’ own Brotherhood Ride.
Founded after the terrible tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina where nine firefighters lost their lives, Brotherhood Ride is sponsoring their 3rd Annual Naples Memorial Stair Climb. Why a stair climb? If you remember, in the time between the towers being struck and collapsing, there was an effort to evacuate those who were stuck in the towers. In the midst of uncertainty, where people were moving away from the smoke, firefighters were running into the building to climb the 110 stories carrying people out of the towers. As we remember, the towers then collapsed trapping the firefighters. This stair climb is a way to remember those who were lost on 9/11/2001.
While there were 110 stories in each of the Twin Towers, please do not feel obligated to climb the entire 110 stories. It is the memory and awareness that is most important. Climb as many as you can. Remember the sacrifice of those we lost on that awful day.
For $25 you can join Brotherhood Ride in this event. This will take place Sunday September 8th beginning at 7am at Naples Grande Beach Resort. The link to sign up for more information can be found here. A quick overview of the event:
7:00 a.m. - Check in will begin
8:00 a.m. - Opening Ceremony
8:46 a.m. – Stair Climb begins
Must be registered by 10:00 a.m. to climb
Proceeds from this event benefit the Brotherhood Ride. Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers and EMS Personnel who ride bicycles to honor emergency first responders who have died in the line of duty.
In addition to this annual event remembering 9/11, Brotherhood Ride is also gearing up for their Cycle For Fallen Heroes event. This will be dedicated to 14 Florida Fallen First Responders who died in the line of duty in 2023 while protecting their communities. Beginning October 22nd from Naples, our team will honor them by cycling through the state of Florida for 8-days, covering over 600 miles and average 70-90 miles a day. The ride will conclude on October 29th in Live Oak. For more information please go here
Thank you, Brotherhood Ride, for sponsoring this event and ensuring we #NeverForget what happened on September 11th.
コメント