By Charlotte Underwood

HABERSHAM, TN (WLAF)- The White Oak Volunteer Fire Department is planning to mark the 24th anniversary of 9/11 by hosting a Step Walk/Stair Climb on Thursday, September 11, at the Wynn Habersham School in honor of the first responders that perished that day.

The event is open to first responders in the community that wish to participate.

White Oak Fire Department Captain James Williford invites any first responders that wish to participate in the event to be at the school on 9-11 to meet in the parking lot at 8:30am, with the event to take place at 9am in the school’s gym. Students at the school will get to watch the event from the gym floor, while first responders will climb bleacher stairs, according to Williford.

“We just want to do something in honor the first responders that gave their lives, it’s something that’s been on my heart to do for a long time and I hope to start having the event each year,” Williford said.

Across the nation, step walks and stair climbs are hosted to honor the 343 first responders who gave their lives to help others on 9/11, by climbing 110 stories – the equivalent of the highest point of the World Trade Center.

According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, “the event not only honors the memories of first responders who died that day but also symbolizes the completion of their heroic journeys to save others.”

The White Oak Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a step walk on September 11 in remembrance of 9-11 at 8.30am at Wynn School. Any first responders are invited to participate. Any questions call James Williford at 423.377.5015.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 8/29/2025-6AM-PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WOVFD)

Related