Today is September 11th. May we all stop for a moment of silence in remembrance of all the lives lost on 9/11/2001. This is the site where, yesterday, fire fighters were going to lead a stair climb to replicate the equivalent of 73 flights of stairs, what the firefighters of New York City had to climb to get to the top of the World Trade Center. This photo was taken on Friday evening, before we learned that yesterday's event was cancelled due to inclement weather. It is not safe to climb cement stairs quickly in the rain. While firefighters do it all the time, it was not safe to have when open to community members. This car ramp, at the 220 North Greene Street side looks soul-stirring, in its emptiness with the green reflection. Perhaps, the solitude of this garage, this is the structure's equivalent of a moment of silence.
On September 07, Spectrum News published a very nice article on the anticipated stair climbing event which takes place annually (see HERE, article by Courtney Wallen). In the article, Lt. Holt Alcorn, who has been a local firefighter since 2001, reflects on the last two decades and the changes that have come about as a result of the 911 attacks. He also reminds us that young adults today either weren't born or were two young to recall the event first hand. Alcorn, was prepared to do the climb yesterday with a 26 pound airpack, full gear and hose to replicate the experience of the NYC firefighters who went into the World Trade Center that day. The article inspires us to want to participate next year. And to Lt. Alcorn, who is a lieutenant at the Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Department, thank you for your to decades of service in Guilford County. May you and the nation ever experience anything so horrific again.
A day that stays on in the mind.
Posted by: William Kendall | Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 04:30 PM