9-11 annual Stair Climb at Nat'l Harbor. WTOP's Hlliary Howard and husband Dave Statter MCs event.@wtop pic.twitter.com/yF6G4z2f4E
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewartWTOP) September 10, 2016
Prince George's Co Exe. Rushern Baker & fallen firefighter John Ulmschneider's family doing 9/11 Stair Climb.@WTOP pic.twitter.com/kXkI671qeB
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewartWTOP) September 10, 2016
Prince George's Co firefighter touches names of fallen colleagues during 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb. @wtop pic.twitter.com/YungNj8RgD
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewartWTOP) September 10, 2016
WASHINGTON — The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb held Saturday was one way to “never forget” the sacrifice of the 343 New York firefighters who died when the Twin Towers collapsed 15 years ago. This year, the event held at National Harbor was even more personal, honoring two local fallen firefighters.
The stair climb, which took place in 40 different regions across the country Saturday, began as a way to honor the New York firefighters who died when the Twin Towers collapsed. It also raises funds nationally for fallen firefighters.
In Prince George’s County, where the event has been held for the past six years, two firefighters who died in the line of duty also were honored this year, said Prince George’s County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor.
Prince George’s County firefighter John “Skillet” Ulmschneider was shot and killed in April while answering a call; county firefighter Chris Hill died in August of brain cancer related to the job, Bashoor said.
Ulmschneider’s mother, Cheryl Ulmschneider, was one of around 500 people doing the climb. She was part of team “Skillet,” a group of climbers participating in honor of her son. Also on team “Skillet” was Dawn Ulmschneider, the fallen firefighter’s wife.
“It’s really heart-touching to see all these people show up for this — for not just John, but all the other firefighters that gave their life so unselfishly,” Cheryl Ulmschneider said.
Most who were at National Harbor to do the climb were firefighters, but other participants included Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker and his body guards.
Money raised from the event goes to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. This year, Bashoor said, money raised will also help the local families.
