Los Alamos Fire Department Honor Guard members during last year’s September 11th Memorial Climb at Pajarito Mountain. Courtesy photo
Los Alamos Fire Department Honor Guard is gearing up for the Fourth Annual Sepember 11th Memorial Climb scheduled 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Pajarito Ski Hill.
“Because we are a mountain town and not a big city, we don’t have a high-rise building. We use Pajarito Mountain to climb the 2,200 steps, the equivalent of the 110 flights of stairs climbed by firefighters and police who lost their lives on September 11, 2001,” said firefighter-paramedic Rick Acedo who is the commander of the Honor Guard.
Acedo said fire personnel are encouraged to wear their bunker coats and pants but can wear walking or running shoes with their gear if preferred. The event is not times but Acedo warns that it will be very challenging to climb the hill in their gear, a grim reminder of the grueling 2001 climb and the suffering and sacrifice that went with it.
The event will kick off with a short ceremony at 9 a.m., then participants will start at the east side of the ski lodge and walk up the east road to the top of the Aspen lift. It is expected to take up to two hours to reach the top. Trucks and ATVs will be available to shuttle participants back to the lodge if needed. The community is also welcome to attend only the opening ceremony.
“We would like to invite anyone in the community who is willing and able to make the climb to join fire, police and other public service personnel for the event. Bring your family, friends and dogs,” Acedo said. “Our main goal is to honor the fallen firefighters and police officers who lost their lives in the American tragedy of 9/11.”
The event also will raise money for the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Participants may register for the event at www.eventbrite.com under “LAFD Honor Guard”. The first 50 people to register will receive a t-shirt.
Participants are urged to chat with others on the climb about where they were on 9/11 and to share their stories. Following the event, Smith’s Marketplace will provide refreshments at the lodge and Bathtub Row Brewing Co-Op will offer discounts for participants.
On behalf of the Honor Guard, Acedo thanked all those who helped sponsor the event including LAFD, International Association of Firefighters Local #3279, Smith’s Marketplace, Bathtub Row Brewing Co-Op and Los Alamos National Laboratory Community Giving Campaign.
