The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith ROTC Lion Company will host a memorial stair climb on the morning of Sept. 11.
Members of UAFS ROTC and LionHeart – a student-led philanthropic organization at UAFS – will climb the stairs of Stubblefield Center following a Remembrance Ceremony to honor the lives lost and those who heroically assisted in the aftermath of the attacks. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m.
This year marks 22 years since the devastation that changed the world forever. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon killed 2,937 people. Forty more died in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, when United Airlines Flight 93 passengers attempted to overthrow hijackers.
Event organizer 2nd Lt. Parker Hargrove said stair climbs, even 22 years later, preserve the significance of 9/11 and create a unity and bond between those who participate.
“It is important to honor the memory of the victims, educate future generations, foster empathy, and provide support for those still affected by the events of that day. This event serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of coming together as a community in the face of tragedy,” he said.
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to climb 2,200 stairs, or 110 stories, alongside UAFS ROTC. The climb commemorates the lives lost on 9/11 and during the Global War on Terrorism.
Additionally, LionHeart volunteers and UAFS Student Government Association members will be placing American Flags throughout the campus green from 10 a.m. to noon. The entire UAFS community is invited to help place flags.
