Remembering those we lost: Canton monument walk pays tribute to victims of 9/11

CANTON ‒ Representatives from 17 fire departments, 10 police departments and numerous civilians participated in the fourth annual  9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the McKinley National Memorial.

The Canton Fire Department hosted Monday's event, which began with a ceremony at 8 a.m. and ended at 10:30 a.m.

A bell tolled three times at 10:28 a.m., the time when the north tower of the World Trade Center collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001. Terrorists killed 2,977 people by hijacking commercial airliners, which crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Several hospitals and dispatch centers also participated in the commemoration. The McKinley High senior choir sang the national anthem.

Speakers included retired Mogadore Fire Chief Don Adams, who noted that the 343 firefighters who died in New York left behind 606 children. He said more than 200 police officers and 300 firefighters subsequently died from illnesses related to their response to the attacks.

"Their lives were snuffed out like a candle in the wind, murdered," Adams said.

"We shall never forget," said Mayor Thomas Bernabei, who made several circuits with other climbers.

U.S. Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, D-Akron, remembered the fallen first responders and those who continue in that work as people "who run towards danger while most of us would simply run away."

Sykes said the event served as a reminder "that we do have a common enemy, but it is not one another."

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Canton

Canton Fire Chief Akbar Bennett told the audience to take the emotions felt on Monday morning back to their family, friends and neighborhoods "and remind them that we are all one united family."

Among the firefighters scaling the steps were Canton's Capt. Aaron Rich and his father, retired Canton Fire Chief Steve Rich, who still works with the Osnaburg Township Fire Department.

Both walked the full 12 circuits of steps at the monument, which equate to 110 stories — the height of the twin towers.

Steve Rich, 65, characterized the climb as "rough" and took only the first couple of laps in his gear.

Aaron Rich, assigned to the fire station at 25th and Cleveland Avenue NW, said he was tired after completing the course in full gear. He kept a water bottle in his pocket to stay hydrated.

Canton Firefighter Eric Stokes, 56, said he felt "good" after taking all 12 laps in gear. He attributed the strong finish to training he took every three days with retired Canton Fire Department Capt. Joe Burns, his longtime supervisor. They ran the monument steps together to prepare for Monday's event.

Canton firefighter Kyle Capozzi walked all 12 circuits in full gear, leaving him sore. He expressed gratitude for Lake High School students who handled out water bottles donated by Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, which also brought snacks.

Canton firefighter LaRon Carr was among the volunteers who arrived at 6 a.m. to prepare the grounds. By mid-morning, he did five laps with the crowd on top of the six ascents and descents he made during the setup.

Plain Township Fire Chief Charles Shalenberger, 57, walked six laps in gear and six without. "Not preparing ahread of time was probably not a great idea," Shalenberger said.

Police, firefighters remember 9/11

Perry Township police officer Darren Vanest, 24, walked all 12 laps on the steps.

"I feel exhausted, tired, but I had momentum to finish strong, remembering all those who lost their lives," he said.

Canton police officer Judi Solly participated for the third year in a row.

"This is such a small thing for the major sacrifices that the firefighters, the citizens, the officers that went through 9/11 did, and dispatchers as well," she said.

Wooster police officer and firefighter Christopher Hartzler carried friend Adam Davis, 40, down the stairs as a representation of the way rescuers carried people from the twin towers.

Davis climbed the stairs with a walker while flanked by friends Joanne Smith of Navarre and Mike Theil of Mogadore.

Fellow Plain Township Christopher Young, 39, who has a prosthetic right leg, said he participates because "I'm alive and I'm able to and that's a good enough reason."

Like most of the climbers, 20-year-old Nicholas Cochran of Mantua wore name tags remembering firefighters who died in the attacks. His noted 9/11 responders Keithroy M. Maynard, 30, and Lincoln Quappe, 38.

"I wasn't born when 9/11 happened," Cochran said. "I think it's just my duty to honor the ones that gave their lives trying to protect others."

Rachel Forchione, director of the Canton Civil Service Commission, helped facilitate the event with members of her staff.

"It's personally important to me," she said. "I was a senior in high school, getting ready for school when the towers got hit. I'll never forget that day."

Not knowing what else to do, and with her parents already gone to work, she drove to her high school in Texas.

"The Pentagon got hit while I was in first period and, pretty much, the day was a blur from there," Forchione said.

U.S. Navy veteran Joyce Deskin, 68, of Canton, continued her dedication to remembering 9/11 on Monday. She recently went to the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville.

"I want people to remember," she said. "This country right now is on such shaky ground. There's so much dissention in the whole country. People need to remember and reunite like we did right after 9/11. You remember where you were that day and what happened. It wasn't just that day. It was that whole period of time right following it. I'd like to get that feeling back, as far as the unity in the country. People need to remember and to unite as a country and not be so divisive with each other."

Adams, the retired Mogadore fire chief, echoed the sentiment in his remarks to the crowd.

"Remember 9/12? People praying on the steps of the Capitol, singing, praying in schools, sports events. I'd like to see that today."

2019: Canton hosts first 9/11 Memorial Climb

2023: 9/11 remembrances in Stark County at McKinley monument, MAPS museum, Mission BBQ

Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.

On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stair climb at McKinley monument honors those who died in 9/11 attacks