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City Center Fort Worth to Host 9/11 Memorial Tower Climb

August 23,2022


See full Fort Worth Magazine article by FWTX Staff here.

ity Center Fort Worth will host up to 200 first responders on Sept 11 for a Memorial Tower Climb.

First responders from City Center Security, local police and fire departments, county sheriff offices, and FBI agents will climb the stairs of the Bank of America Tower from the ground floor to the 27th floor four times to approximate the 110-story climb to the top of the New York World Trade Center.

Each climber will wear a lanyard with a photo and name of a 9/11 first responder.

The event is open to first responders by advance registration. City Center has a few remaining slots open for first responders from around North Texas. First responders can sign up online at www.citycenterfw.com/memorial-tower-climb.

“Our City Center head of security brought the idea to us,” says Johnny Campbell, president and CEO of City Center Management. “Joel Glenn is a former Secret Service agent on the Presidential Protection Detail. He’s served downtown Fort Worth and City Center for more than 40 years. We’ve expanded our invitation to first responders from across North Texas and would love to see representation from a broad range of agencies.”

The event will begin at 8:25 a.m. Sept. 11 with opening remarks from Campbell, Glenn, and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker.

At 8:43 a.m. a bugler will play “Taps,” followed by a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. to mark the time American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001.

First responders will begin their climb at 8:47 a.m. when Fire Engine No. 1 sounds its siren.

Of the 2,977 victims killed in the Sept. 11 attacks, 415 were first responders, including 343 firefighters; 37 Port Authority and New Jersey police officers; 23 New York City police officers; eight private EMTs and paramedics; three New York State Court Officers; one New York Fire Patrol officer, and one FBI Special Agent.

Over the course of three hours, 121 engine companies, 62 ladder companies and 27 fire officers were deployed to the scene. All off-duty firefighters were recalled — the first time the FDNY issued a total recall in more than 30 years.

Key moments will include

9:03 a.m. Moment of silence — all pause

South Tower Hit by United Airlines Flight 175

Fire Engine No. 1 sound siren

9:37 a.m. Moment of silence — all pause

Pentagon hit by American Airlines Flight 77

Fire Engine No. 1 sound siren

9:59 a.m. Moment of silence — all pause

South Tower Collapses

Fire Engine No. 1 sound siren

10:03 a.m. Moment of silence — all pause

United Airlines Flight 93 Crashes in Shanksville, PA

Fire Engine No. 1 sound siren

10:28 a.m. Moment of silence — all pause

North Tower Collapses

Fire Engine No. 1 sound siren

Noon The final climbers finish.


Location Mentioned: Bank of America