Cadets display the names of 9/11 victims taped on the back of their rucks as they gather in New Barracks courtyard before the stair climb begins.—VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.
Nearly 500 Virginia Military Institute cadets honored those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks by energetically ascending and descending the steps in barracks from the first stoop to the fourth stoop 37 times, climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center in honor of the incredible rescue attempt by first responders that fateful day 24 years ago.
Participating cadets carried the name of a 9/11 victim taped on the back of their rucks, which were loaded with an average weight of 45 pounds. In addition, some cadets carried firefighting tools, rifles, and flags. Others took turns carrying a fragment of glass recovered from the rubble of the Twin Towers, as well as an American flag recovered from ground zero.
Before the climb began, Capt. Eli Facemire ’19, associate chaplain, led the Corps in prayer.
Cadet Stephen Charvat ’26, firefighting club president and cadet in charge of the stair climb, stated that the day meant a lot to him, and it was gratifying to have so many cadets volunteer for the event.
Two VMI alumni who perished on 9/11 were Charles Mathers ’62, a civilian who died when the plane hit the first tower of the World Trade Center, and Lt. Cmdr. David Williams ’91, an officer in the Navy who died when the plane struck the Pentagon.
Editor's Note: Story originally published by Virginia Military Institute.
