09/12/2026
❤️ 2026 9/11 Stair Climb — 25 Years of Remembrance ❤️
Yesterday was a long day. A physically demanding day. An emotional day. But most of all, it was a day we will never forget.
We are truly overwhelmed and incredibly humbled by the turnout for our 2026 9/11 Stair Climb, held in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
We had 34 climbers participate, with one person completing the challenge twice — making 35 climbs in total. Every single participant gave it their all. Each person finished or exceeded the equivalent of the 110 flights of stairs, or 2,271 steps, that the firefighters who entered those towers climbed 25 years ago.
We do this to remember the 343 firefighters who gave their lives that day — running toward danger while the rest of us were trying to escape it. They gave everything they had to save people they knew and people they had never met.
But we also do this to remember one of our own.
Malachi Brown was incredibly passionate about this stair climb.
In 2020, Malachi decided he wanted to take on this challenge in remembrance of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th.
During the climbs before we tragically lost Malachi, he would complete his own 110 flights. But Malachi didn't stop there.
If he saw another firefighter — or simply someone who had come out to honor the 343 — struggling to finish, he would get right back on those stairs. He would climb beside them, encourage them, push them and make sure they knew they weren't alone until they completed their 110 flights.
That was Mal.
Selfless.
Yesterday, I got to witness that same spirit all over again.
Malachi shined through his children, Addie and Eli.
Addie had finished her climb. Eli was giving it everything he had, but he was struggling. Big sister could have finished hers and gone to sit down.
But she didn't.
She got right back up there and walked beside her little brother. She encouraged him. She pushed him. She stayed with him until Eli completed all 110 flights.
As I watched them, I couldn't help but think:
I saw Malachi up there.
Then came our final group of climbers — all firefighters.
I know at least two of them were extremely close friends of Malachi's, and I believe all of them knew him.
They completed their 110 flights.
And then, without being asked, the four of them looked at one another and divided up another 110 flights, each climbing an additional 15 flights in honor of Malachi.
That moment was incredibly powerful.
Yesterday was also Malachi's birthday.
I know in my heart that he was looking down on us with that big smile he always had. And maybe, just maybe, there were a tear or two in his eyes as he watched his children, his friends, his fellow firefighters and so many others honor the cause he cared so deeply about.
I believe Mal was there.
Yesterday wasn't about publicity.
It wasn't about one person.
It wasn't about raising money for our department — because we didn't collect a dime.
It was about remembrance.
It was about honoring the 343.
It was about honoring the men and women who put their lives on the line every single day — the ones who run into the danger when the rest of us are running away from it because we are afraid.
It was about remembering that behind every number is a person. A family. A friend. A firefighter who had a life, a story and people who loved them.
And yesterday, it was also about carrying Malachi's legacy forward.
To every single person who showed up, climbed, encouraged someone else, pushed through the pain and refused to quit:
THANK YOU.
We had participants from:
🚒 Baxter Springs Fire Department
🚒 Commerce Fire Department
🚒 Quapaw Fire Department
🚒 Duenweg Fire Department
🚒 Outer Oaks
Many of these incredible participants completed the challenge wearing full gear or half gear, making an already difficult climb even more challenging.
And a very special THANK YOU to 24 Hour Fitness.
Thank you for being so gracious and kind and for allowing us to invade your gym each year. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and generosity. We look forward to many more years and hope this event continues to grow with each passing year.
The numbers from yesterday tell only a small part of the story:
⏱️ Fastest time: 16 minutes, 01 second
⏱️ Longest time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
🪜 110+ flights completed by every participant
👣 2,271+ steps in remembrance
But yesterday, there were no winners or losers.
Every person who stepped onto those stairs was a winner.
Because every step was for someone who couldn't take theirs.
The climb can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the person and whether they are wearing gear.
Every single one of you did an AMAZING job.
Whether you flew up those stairs or took every bit of the time you needed, you finished.
And that's what mattered.
You climbed for those who couldn't.
You climbed for the 343.
You climbed for Mal.
And yesterday, you reminded us all that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
🇺🇸 343 lives.
One mission.
Never forgotten.
Until we climb again. ❤️🚒
