Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, the memories of that day continue to live on through the people who remember, the stories that are passed down and the acts of remembrance that bring communities together.

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 12, Casper will have an opportunity to honor those memories at the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Ford Wyoming Center. Hosted by the Casper Fire-EMS Department, the memorial invites community members, first responders and supporters to take part in a physical tribute honoring the lives lost and the first responders who faced unimaginable danger that day.

The meaning behind the climb is found in the distance participants complete. Those taking part can climb the arena stairs or walk laps around the arena floor, with both options representing the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Nine laps on the stairs or 18 laps around the arena floor equal the 110-story tribute.

Once participants complete the equivalent of 110 stories, they will have the opportunity to ring the fire bell in remembrance of the firefighters who climbed the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001.

For those participating, the experience is not simply about how far they can climb or how many laps they can complete. It is about taking those steps with purpose and using a physical challenge to remember people who gave everything while responding to one of the darkest days in American history.

The memorial honors the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11, including the 343 firefighters who died while responding to the attacks. It also remembers law enforcement officers, emergency responders and civilians who made the ultimate sacrifice, while recognizing the survivors and first responders whose lives continued to be affected long after that day.

Casper Fire-EMS Chief Jacob Black emphasized the importance of continuing to remember those lives and sacrifices. The memorial, he said, gives the community a chance to come together and recognize the courage of the first responders who ran toward danger when so many others were trying to escape it.

That message remains especially meaningful 25 years later.

For younger generations who may know September 11 primarily through history books and the stories of parents, grandparents and first responders, events such as the Memorial Stair Climb provide a way to connect with the human side of that history. It creates a space to remember the people behind the numbers and to recognize the service and sacrifice that should never be forgotten.

The event is open to participants 12 years of age and older. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and a signed waiver is required at check-in. Registration will be available at the event.

Participants should come prepared for an active morning with comfortable clothing, athletic shoes and a water bottle. Check-in runs from 7:30 to 8 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at approximately 8:30 a.m. The stair climb will begin immediately afterward and continue until 1 p.m. Check-in closes at noon, and there will be no late or afternoon check-in.

Those attending should park in the north parking lot of the Ford Wyoming Center and enter through the main doors. Spectators are welcome and can observe the memorial from designated areas.

The event also gives the community a chance to support families of first responders through the Wyoming Heroes Fund. Memorial badges honoring fallen FDNY firefighters will be available for donations, with proceeds benefiting the fund. Memorial T-shirts will also be available for preorder at the event, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Wyoming Heroes Fund and its work assisting families of firefighters, emergency medical services workers and law enforcement officers following a serious injury or death of a first responder.

Ultimately, the Memorial Stair Climb is about coming together.

It is about remembering the lives that were lost, honoring the people who answered the call and recognizing the lasting impact of their courage. It is about making sure that 25 years later, those names, those sacrifices and those stories continue to have a place in our community.

Tomorrow, Casper has an opportunity to stand together in remembrance.

You do not have to be a firefighter to participate. You do not have to be a first responder. You simply have to be willing to take part in remembering.

Whether you climb the stairs, walk the arena floor or stand among those gathered in support, your presence can become part of this living memorial.

The 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb will take place Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Ford Wyoming Center. Participant check-in is from 7:30 to 8 a.m., with the opening ceremony at approximately 8:30 a.m. The climb will continue until 1 p.m., and the event is open to the public.

Honor. Remember. Never Forget.

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Photo Credit: Ford Wyoming Center