DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – The Hampton Inn in Decatur opened its doors Wednesday for the sixth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, an event that has become a living tribute to the thousands of lives lost during the September 11th terrorist attacks.
The climb was founded in 2020 by Hampton Inn General Manager Brit McKinney. She said the mission is to make sure "Never Forget" isn't just a phrase, but a practice.
"This is our sixth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb," McKinney said. "We started this in 2020 as a way to live by the motto, 'Never Forget,' to make sure 9/11 is not something that becomes just a family fun day or a memorial day, but a day that actually lives in honor and remembrance of all those who lost their lives on 9/11".
Participants climb 28 laps inside the hotel stairwells – the equivalent of 110 stories, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers. Each climber carries a badge with the name of a fallen first responder.
McKinney explained. "If you can't complete all 28 laps, that's okay. You can still pay homage to those people who lost their lives", McKinney explained.
The event has drawn wide support across the community. Local fire departments, veterans groups, and students have joined in this year.
The day also included special tributes beyond the stair climb itself. A medical helicopter was scheduled to land outside the hotel at 4 p.m., and at 6 p.m., first responder vehicles – including fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars – joined together for an honor ride from the Hampton Inn to Lake Decatur.
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