Local firefighters to participate in memorial stair climb
Cassville firefighter Travis Littler bound flights of stairs at least year’s event in memory of the firefighters and rescue workers who lost their lives on 9/11.
August 14, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
On Saturday, September 7, firefighters from five states are convening at Missouri State University (MSU) to participate in a special memorial event to honor the heroes lost in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.
In memory of the firefighters and rescue workers who lost their lives trapped inside the collapsing buildings, the attendees of the memorial will climb the stairs at Plaster Stadium at MSU repeatedly until they have equalled the 110 stories climbed by the rescuers on the day of the tragedy. Firefighters climb while wearing full rescue gear.
According to an official press release from the Springfield Area Memorial Stair Climb organizers, over 300 participants, 200 of which are firefighters, are expected to turn out for the event this year.
Travis Littler, a firefighter and paramedic who has been with Cassville Fire for eight years, is hard at work setting up a team to undertake the climb.
“We set up a team for Cassville Fire,” said Littler. “Anybody who wants to participate from the fire department or their families can sign up.”
Before the event, firefighters are asked to raise funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Fund. In the past, the event raised over $40,000 to benefit the NFFF.
“All that money goes to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, and they use all that money for medical expenses, funeral costs and all that stuff for line-of-duty deaths all across the country,” explained Littler.
According to Littler, two other Cassville firefighters signed up to take the climb this year with more expected to commit before the event.
Littler is a longtime supporter and participant in the event. He explained that while it has its utility as a publicity event, its true purpose is to honor and remember the sacrifices made by fire and rescue workers on the day of one of America’s greatest tragedies.
“I think it’s my fifth year doing this,” said Littler. “I saw them putting on the event in Springfield and, not only is it good P.R., but it’s a good event to help people remember 9/11 and what it was about.”
The long-time firefighter explained that the experience is something special to see firsthand.
“It’s a humbling experience at the climb. Everyone is so heartfelt. It’s a really heartwarming experience all around,” Littler said.
The Springfield Memorial Stair Climb will be held at 8 a.m. on the morning of September 7 at Plaster Stadium on the Missouri State University campus. For more information, contact Nixa Fire’s Whitney Weaver at (417) 339-9469 or visit the website at www.springfieldmemorialstairclimb.org.
Vinnie Roberts
On Saturday, September 7, firefighters from five states are convening at Missouri State University (MSU) to participate in a special memorial event to honor the heroes lost in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.
In memory of the firefighters and rescue workers who lost their lives trapped inside the collapsing buildings, the attendees of the memorial will climb the stairs at Plaster Stadium at MSU repeatedly until they have equalled the 110 stories climbed by the rescuers on the day of the tragedy. Firefighters climb while wearing full rescue gear.
According to an official press release from the Springfield Area Memorial Stair Climb organizers, over 300 participants, 200 of which are firefighters, are expected to turn out for the event this year.
Travis Littler, a firefighter and paramedic who has been with Cassville Fire for eight years, is hard at work setting up a team to undertake the climb.
“We set up a team for Cassville Fire,” said Littler. “Anybody who wants to participate from the fire department or their families can sign up.”
Before the event, firefighters are asked to raise funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Fund. In the past, the event raised over $40,000 to benefit the NFFF.
“All that money goes to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, and they use all that money for medical expenses, funeral costs and all that stuff for line-of-duty deaths all across the country,” explained Littler.
According to Littler, two other Cassville firefighters signed up to take the climb this year with more expected to commit before the event.
Littler is a longtime supporter and participant in the event. He explained that while it has its utility as a publicity event, its true purpose is to honor and remember the sacrifices made by fire and rescue workers on the day of one of America’s greatest tragedies.
“I think it’s my fifth year doing this,” said Littler. “I saw them putting on the event in Springfield and, not only is it good P.R., but it’s a good event to help people remember 9/11 and what it was about.”
The long-time firefighter explained that the experience is something special to see firsthand.
“It’s a humbling experience at the climb. Everyone is so heartfelt. It’s a really heartwarming experience all around,” Littler said.
The Springfield Memorial Stair Climb will be held at 8 a.m. on the morning of September 7 at Plaster Stadium on the Missouri State University campus. For more information, contact Nixa Fire’s Whitney Weaver at (417) 339-9469 or visit the website at www.springfieldmemorialstairclimb.org.
