Ohio Stadium was a site of remembrance and solidarity Thursday morning as members of The Ohio State University's ROTC departments, students, and community participants gathered to honor those lost on 9/11. Participants ascended the equivalent of the 110 flights of stairs that once formed the World Trade Center towers in an annual stair climb event. The effort symbolizes not just the physical endurance of those who responded during the attacks, but a commitment to their memory and the values they embodied.
Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, addressed the attendees, highlighting the significance of the day. "September 11th is always a time where we gather to honor and remember the importance of service and how incredibly critical it is for each and every one of us to do our duty," Wilson told OSU News. The service-minded gathered found themselves part of a growing tradition that seeks to steadfastly continue to build connections, bridge gaps and solemnly recall one of the nation's darkest days.
One such participant, Air Force ROTC Cadet Aidan Spang, told OSU News about the inter-departmental camaraderie fostered by the event. "It’s really about building a strong sense of community here, and doing it with the other branches as well," he said. "Because we don’t really get to do much stuff with them, so being able to join them is also pretty great." The sentiment of shared experience and collective commemoration clearly echoing throughout the ranks and throughout the climbs.
The stair climb served as not only a public symbol but also a personal pilgrimage for those like Charlotte Browne, a women’s lacrosse player and New York native. Browne carries forth a legacy of service that hits close to home. "My dad was on the fire department for 30 years. He was a captain during 9/11, so he was there that day," she recalled in a statement obtained by OSU News. Such personal connections to the tragedy underscored the events' place within the deeper narrative of families and communities knit across the nation.
Recognition was also extended by Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director Ross Bjork to the ROTC members. "Thank you for your commitment to our country. The future leadership of our country is in your hands, and we appreciate your commitment to what lies ahead," Bjork shared, as reported by OSU News. His words served not only to express gratitude but also to sincerely acknowledge the role these young individuals play in crafting the trajectory of our nation's journey forward.
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