Over 200 cadets, first-responders, veterans, faculty and students gathered at 5:45 a.m. Friday on Schoellkopf Field for the University’s 9/11 memorial stair climb and workouts event. Hosted by Cornell Reserve Officers Training Corps, the event honored the first responders who were present for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and commemorated the lives that were lost.
Annually, 9/11 memorial stair climbs are hosted nationwide to pay tribute to the New York City Fire Department firefighters who climbed the North and South towers of the World Trade Center.
During Cornell’s event, participants completed a 40-minute intensive workout to honor the first responders’ physical hardship while responding to the attacks. The workout was split into three sections – running up and down the full length of the stadium rows, buddy carrying a partner from sideline to sideline and completing a circuit of 10 push-ups, 20 squats and 30 crunches.
All three branches of Cornell ROTC – Army, Air Force and Navy – as well as Varna Volunteer Fire Company, Cayuga Heights Fire Department and Cornell University Police Department were present.
Nathan Li ’27, Cornell ROTC tri-service brigade commander, gave the opening remarks.
“Though most, if not all, of the ROTC brigade were not around on [Sept. 11, 2001], I know we share that resolve to realize what it means to never forget,” Li said. “We are gathered here to honor those 2,977 Americans … whose lives were cut short that day by an unspeakable act of terror.”
He then took a moment to remember the 21 Cornell alumni who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
After the remarks, the crowd divided into three stations to start the workout. For the next 40 minutes, participants cheered each other on while breaking a sweat as the sun rose over Schoellkopf Field.
At the end of those 40 minutes, the crowd reconvened at the center of the field for closing remarks.
“We should reflect, we should remember, we should never forget, we should stay mad,” said Captain Michael Mosbruger, commanding officer of Cornell Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.
He spoke about the reason behind showing up, climbing the stairs and completing the workouts, telling the crowd that they were there to “commemorate the people who had courage to do something heroic.”
“The first responders and military, we have one great thing in common: when bad stuff happens, we run towards it — we don’t run away from it,” Mosbruger said.
Li told The Sun that the memorial made him reflect on his responsibilities as a future commissioned naval officer.
“We have big shoes to fill,” Li said. “If anything similar to [the 9/11 attacks] would happen, the same things would be expected of me. I think it’s important to honor the legacy of those who’ve gone before us and given their lives in service.”
Nate Harris ’28, a volunteer for the Cayuga Heights Fire Department, told The Sun that the event left him feeling “motivated” and “inspired.”
Matthew Morris, a second-year MBA student and marine veteran, echoed Harris’ sentiments.
“I’m the salty vet, and so getting to come and see the next generation, I am extremely confident at what’s coming,” Morris said
To close the memorial, every person in the crowd placed one hand into the center of the group and shouted “Never forget” in unison, followed by a wave of applause.
Several other memorial events took place on campus Friday – including Cornell Democrats and Cornell Republicans planting 2,977 American flags on the Arts Quad and Cornell Chimesmasters tolling the bells to remember each attack on Sept. 11, 2001.
Mary Caitlin Cronin is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is a news editor for the 144th Editorial Board and can be reached at mcronin@cornellsun.com.
