El Paso – This Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is leading a city‑wide tribute. The UTEP 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, organized by UTEP’s Army ROTC in partnership with the City of El Paso and the El Paso County Emergency Services District No. 1, will begin at 7 a.m. at the Sun Bowl Stadium.
Community and service members unite
More than 1,500 participants have already signed up, including members of Fort Bliss, Border Patrol, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Law‑enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency‑medical personnel and volunteers will ascend the stadium’s 33 steps, symbolically matching the steps the rescuers climbed at the Twin Towers on that fateful day.
Leaders and families speak
UTEP President Heather Wilson will deliver opening remarks, followed by El Paso Police Department Chief Peter Pacillas, El Paso Fire Department Chief Jonathan Killings, and El Paso County ESD No. 1 Fire Chief Kristian Menendez. Their comments will emphasize the bravery of first‑responders and the enduring importance of community solidarity.
Honoring sacrifice
The ceremony will include a 21‑gun salute and a flyover by the 1st Armored Division Aviation Brigade from Fort Bliss, underscoring the nation’s respect for those who gave their lives. Families of the victims, as well as surviving first‑responders, will be invited to share personal reflections during the event.
How to watch
Good Morning El Paso’s Nicole Ardila will broadcast live from the Sun Bowl Stadium, providing coverage from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Viewers can tune in to the station’s morning program to hear organizer interviews and see the climb as it unfolds.
Why the climb matters
Beyond remembrance, the stair climb serves as a reminder of the values that bind the El Paso community: faith, family and individual liberty. By gathering together in a public, faith‑affirming setting, participants demonstrate the resilience and gratitude that have defined the city’s response to tragedy over the past quarter‑century.
Organizers hope the event will inspire future generations to understand the sacrifices made on September 11 and to carry forward the spirit of service that defined the day’s heroes. The climb is open to anyone willing to walk the steps and honor the memory of those lost.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
