Morris Co. Firefighters Mark 9/11 With Full Gear Symbolic Climb

MADISON, NJ - Dressed in full gear Wednesday morning Chatham Borough Firefighters Michael Sowell and Rob Kelly arrived at the Madison Area YMCA not to battle a blaze, but to honor the firefighters who sacrificed everything at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

The duo climbed 110 simulated flights on the Stairmasters for the FDIC 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to commemorate 9/11.

"110 signifies the furthest point firefighters got in the buildings," Kelly posted to social media. "The gear weighs just under 100 pounds. We began climbing at 8:50 am which was the time that Incident Command was established and the first FDNY units made entry to the North Tower to begin rescue operations."

Kelly noted that with encouragement from the YMCA staff and fellow people at the gym, they climbed 110 flights in just under 50 minutes and received a standing ovation from everyone at the gym after getting off the stair climbers.

Kelly said when they completed the climb the pair was sent given a round of applause, which Kelly noted had them both emotional and he thanked the people in the gym and the trainers at the Y for bringing them cold towels, ice and "a ton of water."

"And for the words of encouragement, handshakes and pats on the back," Kelly said. "We as a country must never forget the tragedy that occurred 18 years ago today. Thank you to the true American Heroes who risked their lives that day."

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