To honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, the annual 9/11 Stair Climb is set for next Thursday at Lakeshore High School’s Al Stockman Stadium.
The event this year is being hosted by the Stevensville American Legion after its previous corporate sponsor was unable to host again, and it was actually a couple of community members who decided to take up the mantle and keep the remembrance going. Jill and Steven Phenegar heard there were no plans for a stair climb and decided they’d take it on.
“The community seemed already in place,” Steven said. “We just had to go and touch base.”
“And find a place for it to happen,” Jill said.
The Phenegars tell us Lakeshore Public Schools was open and supportive of holding the event at its stadium after it was previously held in St. Joseph. Now, they’re inviting everyone to the high school next Thursday, September 11 to walk the stairs in memory of those who were lost 24 years before.
“It’ll be a very just open event just for the community, just to have somewhere to let out that remembrance of 9/11,” Jill said.
People can climb 2,071 steps to represent the number of stairs in the World Trade Center, or they can choose a different number. Jill says local first responders will be present, along with the American Legion Honor Guard.
The event will begin at 8 a.m. and parking will be at Kohn Soccer Field on the south side of the stadium only. Everyone is invited.
