As an organization that works alongside fire departments and first responders every day, and with over 100 retired fire service members working on our local teams across North America, 1-800-BOARDUP International has a deep connection to September 11, 2001, and profound reverence for the innocent lives lost and heroic first responders who answered the call that day.
For us, honoring and remembering September 11th each year is both a personal and professional duty–especially this year, as we mark 25 years since the attacks. Here are a few ways we observed the milestone anniversary.
1-800-BOARDUP’s 9/11 Memorial Board
In the weeks leading up to the 25th Anniversary, the 1-800-BOARDUP network took time to share their own memories of where they were on 9/11, pay tribute to the first responders and victims, and reflect on what the day still means to them today. We collected these stories and sentiments on an online Memorial Board to preserve the history digitally, helping to keep the promise to NEVER FORGET. → See all the stories and tributes here.
Special Edition of the Maltese Cross Magazine
1-800-BOARDUP dedicated its September issue of the Maltese Cross Magazine to recognizing the milestone anniversary. The special 9/11 Remembrance Issue included a sampling of the Memorial Board tributes from the 1-800-BOARDUP network, honored all 2,799 victims by name, and featured information about the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum now located at Ground Zero. → Read the 9/11 Remembrance Edition of the Maltese Cross here.
9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs
Local offices also participated in 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs held throughout the month. Several 1-800-BOARDUP locations sponsored and participated in regional 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs hosted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The NFFF’s Memorial Stair Climbs “are a way to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live on September 11, 2001.” During these events, “Each participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center.”
Check out these highlights from the Stair Climbs in Memphis and Philadelphia.
Memphis 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
Venue: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
1-800-BOARDUP of Mid-South worked tirelessly with fire departments, volunteers, friends, and partners across Memphis and Shelby County, and throughout Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas to bring the inaugural Memphis 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to life for this year’s 25th Anniversary.
Philadelphia 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena
1-800-BOARDUP teams from the Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg, South Jersey, and Delaware offices joined forces to help sponsor the NFFF Stair Climb in the Philadelphia region.
These 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs also serve as a fundraiser for the NFFF, and the money raised at every Stair Climb supports the FDNY Counseling Service Unit and the NFFF’s programs for families of fallen firefighters in that local area. 1-800-BOARDUP is proud to support the NFFF as a corporate partner, and contribute to their efforts to honor and remember the 343 FDNY firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001. → Learn more about the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs at firehero.org/events/9-11-stair-climbs/