Climbing Stairs to Remember

The early morning of Sunday, September 13th may have been quiet on the Island, but at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort there was a bevy of activity as the Brotherhood Ride’s fifth annual 9/11 Stair Climb was beginning.

Hundreds of climbers comprising first responders from around SW Florida and beyond, families, branches of the military, and young and old alike, joined together in memorial to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost 25 years ago.

Brotherhood Ride Founder and President, Key Largo Fire Chief, and retired Battalion Chief of the North Collier Fire Department, Jeff Morse, along with his wife, Candy, started the Stair Climb.

With the purpose of the Brotherhood Ride being to honor fallen servicemen, they are now in the 19th year of the ride. Two of these rides have gone from Naples to Ground Zero, covering 1,700 miles in 22 days.

The 2026 ride will take place from October 17-23, honoring 22 first responders who have died in the line of duty in the last year. “We will be traveling throughout Florida for seven days honoring them,” said Candy. “The money raised goes to the families of those that we honor during the ride. That is why we figured that this stair climb tied in to what we do,” she said, sharing that they began to do the climbs five years ago.

Candy went on to say that they have previously hosted the event at the Naples Grand Beach Resort, but due to renovations they had to pivot. “The Hilton generously stepped up to let us do it here.”

200 participants pre-registered, with another 80 signing up that morning. The climb would take place in one of the Hilton’s stairwells, with water stations and regular safety checks throughout. Participants would climb, descend, and walk down two sets of hallways back to the starting point in the effort to complete 110 flights – the number of stories of each Twin Tower.

After check-in, climbers could visit a special table and pick up a lanyard that held a photo of a First Responder who lost their life in the line of service on 9/11. Climbers would carry their hero with them up the stairs and were encouraged to take the cards home and learn about their fallen hero.

A special ceremony began promptly at 8:00 AM with Jeff Morse welcoming those gathered, followed by the National Anthem, the presentation of the colors, and an invocation given by Fire Service Chaplain Mark Goodman, who prayed, “Today, every step we take is in their memory. As we climb, give us the strength to continue when our bodies become tired. Remind us that the discomfort we experience today is temporary while the sacrifice made by so many was forever.”

Several honored guests were invited to the stage to share a few words, including Greg LaValley, who recited a prayer by the late Father Michael, who was a victim of 9/11. Hilton Marco Island Director of Operations, Chris Adams said, “We remember those who gave their ultimate sacrifice 25 years ago, and we remember those who still serve today. We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this.”

Marco Island Fire Chief Chris Byrne touched on the reality of the nation coming together over the last few days in memory of the tragic events of 9/11. “Today, we come together again to remember and honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost. Every step you take today represents their courage, their sacrifice, and the families and loved ones they left behind,” Byrne said.

“You also climb in support of the Brotherhood Ride, helping carry forward the legacy of fallen first responders, supporting their families, and supporting those who continue to serve,” Byrne continued. “Take each step with purpose, carry our memory with you, and never forget the heroes we honor today.”

Captain Jake Walker elaborated on what has become the motto for 9/11: Never Forget. He shared that he and his team have attended over 20 events in remembrance of the heroes of that day. “But that's not enough,” he said. “Not forgetting takes action on our part each and every day of our lives. Not only remembering the professionalism and the heroism that took place that day, but in choosing the people that govern us and the elected officials and the policies that they will put in place to continue to protect us into the future.”

Pi Kappa Alpha, FGCU Chapter, has joined the climb each year since its inception, and President Keegan Kunzer gave a touching speech intended for those who were not yet alive on September 11, 2001. “This event is a chance to support something bigger than ourselves; it's a chance to remember. We know that date through stories, photographs, videos, and through the memories of the people who lived it. But not being there doesn't mean we don't need to grieve,” Kunzer said. “I believe it gives us a responsibility to listen to the people who were there, honor for people who never made it home, and make sure that the memory of the day doesn't disappear as years pass.” He closed with, “Today we don't climb pretending we understand what we did not experience. We climb because we respect it. We climb because we remember. We climb because we're grateful.”

Morse thanked the speakers and the several generous sponsors of the day before continuing with his own words on the first responders they are honoring, “That day, they showed America what being a first responder truly means. It means that when others are running from danger, we are willing to run towards it. It means putting someone else's life ahead of our own. It means answering the call, not knowing what we're going to face.”

The unity experienced the day after, on September 12, 2001, is an example of what can be done when we put aside our differences, stand together, and support one another as one nation.

As the ceremony neared its close, Morse stated the statistics one more time. “2,753 people were killed at Ground Zero. 343 were firefighters, 72 were law enforcement officers. But the number we don't realize and don't talk about a lot is that it was the largest rescue operation ever placed. 14,000 people escaped because of first responders' actions to go into the buildings that day.”

Bagpiper Tom Minor played ‘Amazing Grace’ as the climbers took a moment for reflection.

Upon conclusion of the ceremony, the climbers carefully relocated to the starting point. All men and women in gear took the front, following tradition, and set the pace for the community to follow.

One could feel the emotion in the air as the climb began. Every participant carried a hero with them by way of the lanyard on their neck. Every participant held their own purpose with the climb. Every person shared the same memorial to honor and to never forget.