Every step a tribute: Munson Army Health Center remembers Sept. 11
The team completed 25 laps through the health center’s stairwells—for a total of 2,200 steps representing the 110 floors of the World Trade Center.
“This was a moment to reflect on the sacrifices of all the first responders—firefighters and police—who answered the call that day,” said event coordinator Lt. Col. Baron Moehlenbrock, chief of clinical services. “It was also an opportunity to remember the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who sacrificed during the military conflicts that followed Sept. 11.”
With each lap, participants honored the victims of the attacks and reflected. Some wore weighted ruck sacks as they reflected on the firefighters and other first responders who climbed the World Trade Center stairwells toward danger to help others that day.
For younger members of the Munson team, the event also provided an opportunity to connect personally with a defining moment they were too young to remember.
“I was only 1 year old on Sept. 11, so I don’t have my own memories of that day,” said Radiology Specialist Spc. Damon Morris. “Most of what I know is what I learned in school, but I felt it was important to participate and take time to honor those who lost their lives and those who answered the call.”
For Moehlenbrock, the climb carried a personal meaning. He completed the event in memory of Sgt. Shawn Hill, a South Carolina National Guard Soldier who died in Afghanistan in 2008.
“As I did my laps, I looked at his name and also reflected on him, his family and his Soldiers,” Moehlenbrock said. “It was a chance for us to come together as a team and remember that people are still sacrificing every day.”
The physical demands of the climb were intended to offer participants the smallest sense of what first responders faced while carrying their equipment up the towers.
“As I started feeling my heart rate go up and the beads of sweat start pouring down, it really made me think about the firefighters,” Moehlenbrock said. “Firefighters and Soldiers are similar in that respect -- you have all your gear and you’re carrying all of that just to get to the fight.”
Although the stair climb was solemn, Moehlenbrock said completing it alongside teammates reinforced the sense of shared service across the health center.
“It was also good to be with our teammates—the military staff and civilian staff who showed up this morning as we remember the events of this day, 25 years ago,” he said.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
