Vidalia First Responders Honor 9-11 With Ceremony & Memorial Climb

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Through a Memorial Climb at Planet Fitness and small ceremony at Vidalia Fire Station 2, local first responders honored those who served and lost their lives on September 11, 2001, when America was attacked in New York City the deadliest attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor during World War II.

For the Vidalia Fire Department, honoring the 9-11 tragedy is a tradition – the men and women begin the day by lowering the flag to half mast, taking moments of silence at the times in which each plane hit, and completing a ceremonial 23 tolls on a bell.

“I was working at the fire station the day that 9-11 happened; seeing something like that and working in public service, it hits you hard. I continued from page

will always honor that day and the loss of brothers and sisters in public safety who deserve to be remembered,” Vidalia Fire Chief Brian Sikes remarked. “We had a small ceremony this year [on September 11]; only around 4-5 guys were there, but we treated it like 1,000 people were there.”

Sikes said that honoring 9-11 has become especially important to the Fire Department, as he now has firefighters that were not born when the tragedy struck or were too young to remember that time. “Our older guys really spent time telling the younger guys what it was like when [911] happened. I think that is important to let them see how people felt when we were attacked,” he explained. “It does my heart good that all the guys carry this tradition of making sure we remember that day. I want to pass that remembrance of this day down to them – I want them to always remember.”

He added, “To fully grasp the magnitude of the event, we have to ask ourselves two things: why do we remember 9-11, and why do we forget it?”

Along with the ceremony, three firefighters – Apparatus Operator Kristopher Owens, Firefighter Trew Shokoh-Alai, and Firefighter Cameron Coleman decided to do something more to remember the day, and completed the 9-11 Memorial Climb in their full turnout gear.

“They initiated doing it,” Sikes shared. “It makes me proud that they would take it upon themselves to want to do something to remember those who served during that day.”

Owens spoke on how the idea came about. He stated that the Department had done the memorial climb previously before the COVID-19 pandemic, and that he wanted to do the task again to restart the tradition. “I think this is important not just to honor firefighters, but [to honor] every single first responder that [served in 9-11],” he emphasized. “I think too often, we forget about the privileges that we do have, and we forget to thank the ones that give us what we have – the soldiers that actually fight for our freedom; the first responders that help us when we are in need. It’s one thing to know about 9-11, but to be a firefighter and first responder, it kind of hits home. I want to continue carrying the torch to remind [those who served in 9-11 or whose family served in 9-11] that they are not forgotten in Vidalia, Georgia, and that we still honor the ones that served.”

Upon deciding that he would take part in the Climb, Owens reached out to his fellow firefighters to see if they would be interested. “As soon as they heard the idea, they were on board. Everyone was self-motivated and ready for the challenge,” he said.

“I wanted to participate because I wanted to remember and honor the firemen and first responders that responded to the call on 9/11 in the best way I thought I could,” Shokoh-Alai added.

Coleman echoed, “I was inspired to participate in the climb to honor both the courage and sacrifice of the first responders on that day while also honoring the continual courage and sacrifice of the firefighters I work alongside at the Vidalia Fire Department and Toombs County Fire Department. Climbing 110 flights of stairs (2,200 steps) symbolizes the bravery they exhibited and the immense challenge they faced on that tragic day. This was a small way for me to pay tribute to their memory and show gratitude for their service.”

The men spoke on their passion for revering those that loss their life in the tragedy.

“You don’t get a true understanding of anything until you experience it for yourself. Once I actually became a firefighter, that’s when I began to develop the love and understanding of what it means to be a firefighter. Even doing the stairmaster challenge itself and actually understanding what those [first responders and firefighters] went through is amazing,” Owens commented.

Coleman added, “Remembering 9/11 is important because we should honor the lives lost and recognize the bravery of first responders and ordinary people who showed incredible courage in the face of tragedy. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and unity that arose from the event, bringing people together in the aftermath of a national crisis.”

“Remembering 9/11 reminds us of the consequences of terrorism,” Shokoh- Alai continued. “The world changed that day.”

Upon arrival at the gym to complete their 2,200-step climb on the stairmasters, the firemen discovered Paramedic Chris Wilcher completing the last steps of his climb, and learned that Paramedic Jordan Ellis had completed the challenge earlier that morning.

Ellis spoke on the event. “This morning, climbing alongside me were several guys from the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office and even one of my EMT students. Together, we honored the memory of the EMS personnel, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and civilians lost on that fateful day.”

It took the men two hours to complete the climb, as family members, community members, and fellow firefighters came to cheer the group on.

“Completing the challenge of climbing 2,200 steps in memory of 9/11 feels deeply rewarding, and there is a sense of accomplishment as well. It took time, but my fellow firefighters and I pushed through to the end. I am thankful for this opportunity and blessed to be able to serve with some of the bravest souls, who continually inspire me with their dedication, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting others, even in the face of great adversity,” Coleman shared.

“The challenge is physically and emotionally exhausting. It gave me just a hint of what they experienced that day,” Shokoh-Alai reflected.

Owens added, “I challenge any county or city to come join us or do it in their own city. It’s never enough to appreciate someone – don’t just appreciate first responders on 9-11; appreciate them every chance that you have because you never know when it’s their last day.”

The men agreed that they hope to participate in the challenge again next year, so they may continue to remember and honor the tragic day.

“We don’t want to see Vidalia – or anywhere really – forget what happened that day. We are grateful to Planet Fitness for partnering with us and allowing us to do this here, and we look forward to continuing the tradition,” Chief Sikes concluded.

HALF MAST – The Vidalia Fire Department held a small ceremony to remember 9-11 at Station 2, where they lowered the flag to half mast, rang the bell 23 times, and revered moments of silence for lives lost.Photo By Makaylee Randolph

2,200 STEPS – The participants of the 9-11 Memorial Climb completed 2,200 steps in full turnout gear to represent the 2,200 steps that it took first responders to reach the top of the Twin Towers. L to R: Paramedic Chad Wilcher, Firefighter Trew Shokoh-Alai, Firefighter Cameron Coleman, Apparatus Operator Kristopher Owens. Not pictured: Paramedic Jordan Ellis.Photo By Makaylee Randolph

REMEMBERING PARAMEDICS – Paramedic Chad Wilcher (pictured) and Paramedic Jordan Ellis completed the 9-11 Memorial Climb in their full gear of what they would need for their duty when responding to emergencies. The men shared that it is important to remember all first responders that served during the tragedy.Photo By Makaylee Randolph

INSPIRING SELFLESSNESS – Firefighter Cameron Coleman (pictured) shared that completing the climb was inspirational for him, as it reminded him of the dedication and selflessness that firefighters had on 9-11.Photo By Makaylee Randolph

RESTARTING THE TRADITION – Apparatus Operator Kristopher Owens (pictured) hopes that this year’s climb restarts the tradition that was ended by the COVID-19 pandemic.Photo By Makaylee Randolph