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MEMORIAL HIKE

Buckeye to host climb as 9/11 event

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BUCKEYE — Anyone who’ll be in the Southwest Valley this weekend can use the coolest part of the day to honor those whose lives were lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

The Patriot Day Memorial Climb is where people climb the 1,980 Victory steps each Sept. 11 in honor of the first responders who gave their lives to save others 21 years ago.

Proceeds from the event will benefit United Buckeye Firefighter Charities, Local L4311, and Buckeye Police Association.

The $30 fee includes a commemorative T-shirt.

Those who want to pick up their T-shirts ahead of the event can register online first and pick up shirts Saturday morning, Sept. 10, at The Center on Main, 4239 N. Village Street, Buckeye, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A total of 343 firefighters, 23 NYPD officers and 37 Port Authority officers died on Sept. 11, 2001. Thousands of other first responders took the time and braved the health risks in 2001 recovery efforts at sites of the attacks.

Registration heats will occur every 15 minutes Sunday starting at 5 a.m. Register for your preferred heat, then meet first responders at Trail 340 at your designated time the day of the event to check in.

The trail is at the north end of Verrado Way.

At 5:30 a.m., there will be a brief bell-ringing ceremony, which will begin with the honor guard’s posting of colors.

There is no competition associated with the climb. Everyone is invited to do the climb at their own pace.

Completion of all steps is not required to participate. Donations of $30 or more will still get each person a commemorative T-shirt.

Donations are not tax deductible.

Available shirt sizes are men’s small through 2XL. All sizes are available on a first come first serve basis.

Register for the event at this link: tinyurl.com/bde6syud