Alexandra O'Dell
Police officers climb Memorial Stadium's stairs to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
On Sept. 11, Clemson University hosted a 9/11 Memorial Stadium stair climb hosted by Military and Veteran Engagement.
The event, hosted by six different organizations, aimed to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 — 24 years ago — with the spirit and patriotism of Sept. 12. Upon registration, attendees wrote a thank-you card to first responders, spoke to Clemson’s first responders and climbed the stairs as the first responders did on that day in 2001.
8:37 a.m. — Flight 11 confirms the aircraft is hijacked.
To begin the memorial climb, Scott Cook, the assistant director of the M&VE, took to the microphone to recognize the day’s significance and to “pay homage to first responders, innocent bystanders and everyday heroes who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.”
8:46 a.m. — Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. First responders are dispatched.
Throughout the event, Cook announced the timeline of events in hopes of educating the younger community who had not lived through the initial attack and aftermath. “The purpose of this event is to climb together as a community in remembrance. It’s not a race.”
9:03 a.m. — Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
First responders started the climb, and attendees followed. One attendee, Betty Dalhousen, explained that she wanted to remember and honor those who “gave their lives for others.”
9:37 a.m. — Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.
Tim Conrad, a veteran advocate for the Upstate Warrior Solution, urged individuals to continue climbing the stairs and encouraged more students to be in attendance. As a United States Army veteran, Conrad explained that he had been deployed when 9/11 occurred.
He mentioned that since students these days were born after the attack, the date can mean less to some than to the people who lived through the attack, which he’s disappointed with.
9:59 a.m. — The South Tower collapses.
Conrad had a “burning desire” not to let 9/11 be forgotten in Clemson, so he started the initiative to start the 9/11 Memorial Stadium climb. UWS, board member Tracy Sweeney and Conrad collaborated with Clemson’s M&VE to create this event.
10:02 a.m. — Flight 93 crashes into an open field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
James Mulak, director of warrior advocacy for the UWS, was in training camp at the time of the attacks. He said the United States was in a state of peace before 9/11. At the time of the attacks, Mulak was about 20 years old and was immediately sent off to Iraq with the Marine Corps.
He explained that this generation does not resonate with the substantial effects of 9/11 and the impact 9/11 has had on American history.
10:28 a.m. — The North Tower collapses.
The memorial climb has significantly grown since its start in 2023. The first stair climb involved about 150 participants, but the number has grown to over 400 by this year. Cook mentioned that sororities and fraternities are interested in getting involved moving forward, and attendance is expected to continue increasing.
Sept. 12 — The nation begins rebuilding together.