Registration is officially open for the annual Saline County 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb & Walk, to take place at the Benton Panthers Athletics Complex. The community-wide event invites firefighters, first responders, and residents to climb in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Read more below.
The memorial climb will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at the Benton High School athletics complex located at 1800 Benton Parkway in Benton.
Participants will gather to pay tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters, 71 police officers, eight EMS personnel, and all the civilians who perished on September 11, 2001.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The foundation uses these funds to support programs honoring fallen American firefighters, as well as to assist their families and departments in times of need.
The schedule for the morning of September 12 is as follows:
- Onsite Registration: 8:00 a.m.
- Opening Ceremony: 8:30 a.m.
- Stair Climb & Walk Start: 9:00 a.m.
- Climb End: 11:00 a.m.
The event is open to the entire community. Organizers are urging participants to begin now in training and preparing. Online registration will close at midnight on Friday, Sept. 11. Participants can sign up through the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s official page at nfff.akaraisin.com/ui/saline26.
For questions or further information regarding the event, residents can contact Michael York at 501-772-6929 or visit the official Facebook event page.
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