LaSalle firefighters marked the anniversary of 9/11 by climbing over 100 flights of stairs with students from St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic High School.
"It's a somber day. But at the same time, it's a time to honour the selfless sacrifice that those brave souls made that day," said organizer Ryan Petrozzi of the LaSalle Fire Service. "If we can share that message today with a generation that wasn't alive they can continue that story forward."
When Petrozzi approached the school about hosting the memorial at the school, Principal Danielle Desjardins was eager to participate.
"We felt that not only is it a great way to memorialize those who have sacrificed their lives in helping others but also bringing awareness to the role of first responders in our community," said Desjardins.
Desjardins was a teacher at Assumption College, the high school located minutes from the Ambassador Bridge, when the aircraft hit the Twin Towers.
"I remember vividly, being so close to the Ambassador Bridge getting a very quick lockdown. I remember the fear my students shared. They had cell phones at that time and I remember them wanting desperately wanting to text their parents and their parents trying to get in touch with them," said Desjardin.
On the 24th anniversary of the attacks, about 60 students and a dozen firefighters with 50 pounds of equipment climbed the bleachers in the football field.
"It's to honour those who knew what they were probably walking into but didn't and they did, and they never came home. Knowing that that was the ultimate sacrifice that they gave, I think today the equipment might feel a little bit lighter," said Petrozzi.