Bridgeview firefighters will honor the 343 New York City firefighters who perished during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center by climbing the stairs inside SeatGeek Stadium.
This is the sixth year the Bridgeview Fire Fighters Union Local 4330 will hold its memorial stair climb, but it is the first being done in Bridgeview. The first five climbs took place at the former Swallow Cliff Woods toboggan slide in Palos Park.
“We decided to move it to SeatGeek Stadium this year because it has outgrown the stairs at Swallow Cliff,” said Bridgeview Fire Chief Keith Grzadziel.
Six firefighters took part in the first climb in 2021. Eight climbed the stairs in 2022 and 2023. Dozens of firefighters from 22 agencies took part in last year’s event.
Firefighters will begin the climb at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave.
“Anyone who wants to make the climb is welcome to join,” Grzadziel said.
“This event is a day of remembrance for the 343 fallen firefighters from the 9/11 tragedy at the World Trade Centers,” Grzadziel said. “Once again, donations made to this event will go to the 100 Club of Chicago, an organization that provides for the families of first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.”
Donations will be accepted on the day of the event. Proceeds from the sale of Memorial Climb merchandise will also be donated. There will also be a raffle for a basket from Fire Department Coffee.