This past Wednesday, hundreds of participants made their way to Memorial Stadium for a stair climb in remembrance of the fallen heroes of the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.

Students, alumni, first responders, military and Clemson locals of all ages climbed the North and South stands for nearly two hours and 20 flights of stairs.

As they climbed, Scott Cook, assistant director of military and veteran engagement at Clemson University, read the timeline of events as they actually occurred 23 years ago, beginning with American Airlines Flight 11’s crash into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. and concluding with the North Tower’s collapse at 10:28 a.m.

The walk concluded at roughly 10:30 a.m., and those that remained witnessed a 21-gun salute performed by the Pershing Rifles and the playing of TAPS.

With the sun shining and a calm breeze, hundreds stood united in the singing of “God Bless America” in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, and with hope for a brighter future.