On Saturday, September 11th, a special memorial and remembrance of the tragedy of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 will take place at Oracle in Redwood City, hosted by the Redwood City Fire Department. This special event is intended as not only a memorial for the 343 members of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) who lost their lives on that day, but also as a recognition and remembrance for the family and friends left behind.

Firefighters from throughout the Bay Area are registering now for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, during which they will carry the names of fallen FDNY firefighters with them as they enter an Oracle building and climb the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs — the number of floors in the World Trade Center. At 8:30 am on that day there will be a brief ceremony and speakers, followed at 9 am by a moment of reflection accompanied by bagpipes. At 9:05 am, the firefighters begin their untimed climb. Family, friends, and media can follow their progress as they exit the building several times, to restart climbing stairs to accomplish the 110 floor equivalent.

Community members who wish to volunteers can participate by helping to pass out water to the firefighters, handle pre-registration packets, and handle other tasks on that day. Donations on-site can be made to the Redwood City Create-a-Smile Foundation, with proceeds forwarded to the Widows and Orphans Fund of the Fire Department of New York.

More details will be provided as the date approaches. In the meantime, information and firefighter registration is available at http://www.redwoodcity911memorialclimb.com/ or by contacting Redwood City firefighter/paramedic Michelle Noack at or 408-205-5521.