By David Taylor / Managing editor
CROSBY — It wasn’t about speed or competition. It was about remembrance.
Firefighters, first responders and community members gathered Saturday night at Cougar Stadium for the 4th annual “Under the Lights” 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk, hosted by the Crosby Volunteer Fire Department, to honor the firefighters and innocent victims lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The annual event raises money for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which provides support to the families of fallen firefighters across the country.
“I’m going to say we had about 110 participants, and we raised over $7,500 for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation,” organizers said Saturday night.
Fire departments participating in this year’s climb included Crosby, Sheldon, Anahuac and the Celanese Clear Lake Emergency Response Team. Harris County Precinct 3 fielded a large team, along with community groups such as CrossFit Thunderdome.
Crosby VFD and Beaumont VFD are currently the only two fire departments in Texas authorized to host official stair climbs for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Firefighters and participants climbed stadium stairs while carrying the names of fallen 9/11 heroes, many wearing full turnout gear or SCBA packs to reflect the physical burden carried by first responders that day.
“This year we changed the layout,” organizers explained. “Doing it all on one side was just more taxing. Now there’s a rehab walk and a cool‑down walk in between. It’s more beneficial and less taxing on the walkers.”
A pre‑climb was held earlier in the week for firefighters assigned to event staffing duties.
“We pre‑climb early so we can be here to oversee everybody,” said Crosby VFD spokesperson Warren Thompson. “Thursday night was also a test run for the new layout, and it went really well.”
Among those participating were current and former firefighters, refinery emergency response team members, law enforcement officers and families — some of whom have attended every year since the event began.
“I’m a big supporter of first responders — I’m one myself,” said a Harris County Precinct 3 captain. “If there’s any way I can show my support, I’ll be here. Hats off to them. It definitely wasn’t easy.”
Others spoke about the emotional impact of carrying the names of fallen firefighters.
“It makes you go back and look up the guys you’re walking for,” one participant said. “They experienced something a lot of people will never experience in their lifetime.”
Celanese Clear Lake ERT member Skyler Fields returned for his second year in the climb, this time wearing an SCBA pack.
“It’s brutal,” Fields said. “Last year was my first year. This year was a lot harder with the SCBA on, but it reminds you of what those guys went through.”
Fields said he continues to recruit coworkers to participate.
“I just come out here to support Crosby,” he said. “This year I got one person to come with me. Maybe next year we’ll bring more.”
Eighteen‑year‑old junior firefighter Zachary Gross, a Crosby High School senior, said the event reinforced his respect for first responders.
“This is about the families who lost their loved ones,” Gross said. “Very few people are willing to push themselves that far. Regular people should have a lot of respect for firefighters and law enforcement.”
Gross said he plans to pursue a career as a corporate pilot and aerial firefighting pilot while continuing to volunteer in the fire service.
As the final climbers completed their walk under the stadium lights, the message of the evening was clear: the climb may end, but the memory does not.
It was a continuous, solemn reminder of sacrifice as finishers rang the fire bell for each of the firemen they ran for at the event.
“It was sobering and emotional to hear that bell,” one participant said.
Leave a Comment