Stephen Montoya
Downtown Fort Worth has long been a city that remembers. On a crisp September morning last year, over a hundred first responders gathered in front of City Center’s Bank of America Tower, donning full bunker gear and heavy boots, ready to take on the grueling Memorial Tower Climb. Their mission was more than just physical endurance — it was a solemn act of tribute, a step-by-step remembrance of the 415 first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. That third annual climb resonated deeply with the community, bringing together firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and civilians alike to honor the fallen during the ceremony. Several first responders ascended the tower’s 30 floors three times, replicating the 110 stories and 2,071 steps they faced inside the Twin Towers that fateful day.
This year, the Fourth Annual 9/11 Memorial Tower Climb returns to City Center Fort Worth on Saturday, September 13, 2025, promising to build on that legacy of remembrance and resilience. Once again, certified first responders and law enforcement officers will gather to climb the Bank of America Tower at 301 Commerce Street — this time ascending to the 30th floor three times, then stopping at the 20th floor on the fourth climb to replicate the full 110-story trek. Each participant carries a lanyard bearing the photo and name of a first responder lost on 9/11, creating a deeply personal connection with the heroes they honor.
Reflecting on last year’s event, firefighter Chris Williamson, a 17-year veteran from Euless, recalled the haunting images and profound inspiration he felt watching the attacks unfold as a college student. “Witnessing that inspired me to join the fire department. It’s not a job. It’s a calling,” he said, capturing the spirit that drives so many to participate in the climb. Alongside him was 25-year-old firefighter Steven Scholfield, who, born just years before the attacks, carries the legacy of 9/11 with him in every step. “They went up there in a scary time when other people were scared, but they did it anyway,” Scholfield said.
1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
Registration for this year’s climb is now open at citycenterfw.com/memorial-tower-climb, with a $50 fee benefiting nonprofits that support first responders. Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m., and the climb kicks off promptly at 8:47 a.m., just after a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., marking the time the first plane hit the North Tower. The event will conclude by noon.
However, this event is more than a climb; it’s a gathering of the community. Last year, the Fort Worth Police Department displayed its SWAT armored vehicle and brought Critical Incident dogs to provide comfort to attendees. The Fort Worth Fire Department’s Fire Safety House offered families an immersive experience to learn about fire safety — a tradition expected to continue this September, alongside appearances by neighboring departments
Ceremonies unfold with quiet reverence: moments of silence at precise times marking when each plane struck, when the towers fell, and when Flight 93 crashed. The solemn rhythm of remembrance is accompanied by the local Pipe & Drum Band’s stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace,” reminding everyone that the climb is as much about honoring history as it is about celebrating the courage and sacrifice that define Fort Worth’s first responders.
Mayor Mattie Parker, who spoke at last year’s event, captured the city’s spirit best: “It’s incredibly special to look out today and remember what happened 23 years ago. As parents, we must teach our children why September 11th matters — because it’s not just history, it’s a defining moment for our country. We must never forget.”
