ATHENS, Ga. — Students at the University of Georgia found a special way to honor the lives lost 23 years ago.
On the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, hundreds of people participated in an inaugural stair climb in Sanford stadium.
Over 150 people, made up of UGA Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC, members of the Athens-Clarke County fire and police departments and UGA police department members, participated in the climb to honor 9/11 first responders.
While many climbed in shorts and a t-shirt, the ACC fire departments climbed in full gear, including helmets, protective gear and what appears to be an oxygen tank.
Everyone in attendance climbed the 120 stairs in the stadium 19 times to honor the 110 stories that first responders climbed the day of the attacks.
UGA's ROTC groups organized the event itself and hope to continue to hold the event every year.
Some members of the group, including organizer and UGA ROTC senior Emaleigh Drake felt that, despite climbing the equivalent of 110 stories, it could never compare to what the New York first responders battled through that day.
"The firefighters are already completing this in their gear, so we need to make sure it's strenuous on us," Drake said "My stepdad was a fireman in New Jersey during the attacks, so it’s always been something big to me. I always took it to heart."
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