The Surfside Beach Fire Department and the Town of Surfside Beach are preparing to host their third annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. This community event, dedicated to honoring the lives lost in the terrorist attacks 25 years ago, is scheduled for September 11 at the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier.
Participants can check in around 7:30 a.m., with opening ceremonies beginning an hour later. The climb itself is expected to conclude around 11:00 a.m. The event serves as a tribute to the 343 firefighters who ascended the stairs of the World Trade Center in their efforts to save others.
Each individual who participates will receive a commemorative lanyard featuring the names of at least two firefighters who perished on September 11, 2001. While attendees are welcome to climb any number of steps, completing 26 trips up and down the pier will approximate the 2,200 steps firefighters climbed during their rescue operations. All participants are requested to wear closed-toe shoes. Those who pre-register for the event will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a medal.
The Surfside Beach Fishing Pier, a prominent landmark in the Grand Strand region, provides a fitting backdrop for this solemn remembrance. Events like this underscore the strong sense of community and public service that defines areas within Horry County, where local departments like the Surfside Beach Fire Department play a crucial role in both emergency response and civic engagement. The annual stair climb not only honors past sacrifices but also reinforces the values of courage and dedication among residents and visitors alike.
