For the fifth consecutive year iconic Bristol Motor Speedway served as the host location for the Tri-Cities 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb.
More than 750 participants took part in the 10th annual event that remembers the fallen first responders from the September 11 attacks in 2001. The participants walked 110 flights of stairs, the height of the World Trade Center, and each had a fallen hero that they were climbing for. Once they completed the 110 flights each person would ring a bell and announce the name of their fallen hero.
All funds raised from the event go to assist the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
“It’s a privilege to host this remembrance at Bristol Motor Speedway and bring together so many first responders and their families to support this wonderful cause,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “It’s important that we never forget the events that transpired 23 years ago at the World Trade Center Twin Towers and for our future generations to be aware of the many acts of bravery that transpired that day from horrific events. First responders are the heroes of our community and we applaud them for making the effort to climb those 110 floors in honor of the fallen heroes.”
One of the fallen firefighters who many of the participants were walking for was 20-year-old Cameron Craig. He was part of the Abingdon Fire Dept. crew responding to a call in October 2023 when the truck he was riding in crashed over an embankment on the way to the scene. Tragically, Craig did not survive the crash.
During today’s pre-climb ceremonies officials from the Abingdon Fire Dept and Bristol Motor Speedway spoke about the loss of Craig, who was a huge NASCAR race fan and attended many events at Bristol Motor Speedway. Craig’s parents, Dale and Virginia, as well as other family members and friends, attended the event today in support of the stair-climbers.
Another local firefighter who was lost in April of this year also was honored during the stair climb today. James C. Ward Jr., of the Weber City Volunteer Fire Department, collapsed while working with a hand crew during a three-acre wildfire in Scott County, Virginia.
Stair climbers came from all over the Appalachian Highlands region throughout Virginia and Tennessee. An Australian woman, who was in town visiting friends, also participated.
The Tri-Cities 9-11 Stair Climb has been held since 2015. It moved to Bristol Motor Speedway in 2020.
