MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Firefighters from across Tennessee were in Nashville Sunday to participate in a 9-11 memorial rescue climb.
The climb commemorates the sacrifice made by the 343 New York Firefighters who lost their lives during the terror attacks on the Twin Towers September 11, 2001.
Firefighters in 60 pounds of gear climbed to the top of the 28 story Tennessee Tower a total of four times. Each of the 343 Tennessee firefighters participating represented one of the New York firefighters who died that day.
A total of 13 firefighters from Murfreesboro participated. MFD Firefighter Josh Parsons made the climb on behalf of fallen FDNY firefighter Jeffery Wells.
“You don’t want to ever forget the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the 9-11 attack. Every day we come to work, and you kiss your family goodbye in the morning, you do not know if you’re ever going to see your family again, or if your family is going to see you.”
Parsons says it took only 18 minutes for Tennessee firefighters to volunteer to fill all 343 spots on this year’s climb.
Money raised by the event goes to a FDNY memorial fund that benefits the family members of the fallen firefighters. Similar events are being held nationwide.