09/07/2026
I’ve been trying to find the right words to say thank you… and honestly, I’m not sure there are any.
When you spend so much time planning an event, you have a picture in your mind of what you hope it will be.
But what happened at this year’s Terry Farrell 9/11 Patriot Day Memorial Stair Climb was so much bigger than anything I could have imagined.
It was people.
People who gave their time.
People who gave their money.
People who gave their talents.
People who gave up a Saturday morning.
People who got up before daylight and showed up simply because they believed in what this day means.
Some of you have been beside us for years. Some of you were there for the very first time. Some of you climbed. Some volunteered. Some sponsored. Some donated. Some cheered from the sidelines. Some quietly stepped in and did whatever needed to be done.
And some of you simply showed up.
Please know this…
That mattered.
Every single one of you mattered.
I wish I could name every person, every business, every fire department, every sponsor, every volunteer and every organization that helped make this day possible. But there are just too many — and I think that says something pretty incredible about what this community has become.
A very special thank you to the Atlanta Braves Foundation and the Atlanta Braves.
You have given us far more than a place to hold this event Truist Park. You have given us a home where thousands of people can come together to remember, to honor, and to carry forward the legacy of 9/11. Your generosity, your partnership, and the way you have embraced this mission means more to us than I could ever adequately put into words.
And to every firefighter, law enforcement officer, soldier, veteran, civilian, who climbed those stairs — thank you for carrying the 343 with you.
To the firefighters who traveled from the United Kingdom to be with us this year… I will never forget seeing you standing alongside our Georgia firefighters. Twenty-five years later, the brotherhood is still as strong as ever. Different countries. Different accents. One brotherhood.
And then there were the families.
The people who came because they remember someone.
The people who came because they lost someone.
The people who came because they love a firefighter.
And the people who came because they simply believe that we should never forget.
That is why we do this.
Twenty-five years later, we are still climbing. We are still honoring the sacrifices. We are keeping a promise.
And reminding the next generation that September 11, 2001, must never become just a date in a history book.
25 years of Honor and Remembrance was on full display.
I often say, “If I’m not here to make it better, why am I here?”
And this weekend reminded me exactly why.
This is why.
So from the very bottom of my heart…
Thank you.
Thank you for believing in this.
Thank you for believing in us.
Thank you for giving.
Thank you for climbing.
Thank you for volunteering.
Thank you for sponsoring.
Thank you for cheering.
Thank you for showing up.
And most of all…
Thank you for remembering.
There is no way I can possibly thank you all individually, but please know that I see you. I appreciate you. And I will never take any of you for granted.
Until we climb again…
We Remember.
We Honor.
We are here when you need us.
With love, respect and deep gratitude ~
Laurel❤️
