(Northern Review Photo/Riley Cetera)
As we come to another year, we find ourselves at the 25th anniversary of the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. Four attacks occurred that day: two in New York against the World Trade Center, one at the United States Department of Defense headquarters, the Pentagon, in Virginia, and the final crash which was the United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. The attacks led to significant changes in the United States, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act.
The events of September 11, 2001 made an impact, and communities across the nation continue to find ways to remember those who were lost. At Ohio Northern University, the men’s lacrosse team honors first responders and those who lost their lives during these attacks by doing a stair climb the morning of September 11th, every year starting at 6:45 am. They climb the stadium stairs 110 times in regard to the 55 steps in each of the towers. They began the Stair Climb with the ONU Veterans Club in 2018, as stated by Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Nat St. Laurent.
For the lacrosse team, the stair climb is more than just a physical challenge. It’s an opportunity for players and the coach to come together, reflect on the lives affected by the attacks, and ensure that the memory of September 11 continues to be passed down to younger generations. Experiencing the stair climb first hand was like nothing I’d seen before. The team had a moment of silence after St. Laurent told the story of what happened that day. While hearing about this tragedy may be a challenge, it gives a reminder of why it’s important to do a tradition like this. The lacrosse team showed dedication near the end when there was one man left to finish climbing. Three of his teammates joined in behind him, giving him encouragement to finish strong. “We are not doing the climb for conditioning purposes,” said St. Laurent. “We hope our players can gain a better understanding of the events that day and how our country came together in that moment.” said St. Laurent.
Our players were not alive to experience the events that day and the stair climb is our way to try and make sure our country never forgets that day as time moves on.
St. Laurent
The stair climb gives them a way to connect with an important moment in American history and understand the impact it continues to have on communities today. Through comments on social media, you can also see how both parents and people from the community love and support the stair climb. Coming together and doing an event like this shows the impact it holds on the people around us.
Ultimately, the lacrosse team’s annual stair climb serves as a reminder that remembering 9/11 is not only about looking back at history, but also about honoring the people whose lives were changed by it.