Las Vegas First Responders Scale the STRAT Tower to Honor 9/11 Heroes

When the sun rose over the Strip on September 11, 2024, a hushed reverence settled on the city’s first‑responder community. Instead of a traditional ceremony, they chose something a little more physical – a climb up the STRAT’s 108‑floor, 1,455‑step tower.

Firefighters, Metro police officers, EMTs and even members of the local military unit laced up sturdy shoes, clipped on radios and, one by one, began the ascent. For many of them, the events of 2001 are a history lesson rather than a lived memory, so the climb was a way to feel the weight of that day in a very literal sense.

Mid‑way up, Chaplain Tyrone Chew gathered the group for a brief prayer. He spoke softly, “We’re doing this for a purpose – to honor the brothers and sisters who never made it back.” The words seemed to linger in the cramped stairwell, echoing against metal railings as participants pressed on.

Along the way, each climber held a small photograph or a folded flag representing a fallen firefighter or first responder from New York City. One firefighter tucked a picture of William McGovern into his walkie‑talkie; another folded a United States flag and tucked it into his pocket, promising to keep it safe until they reached the top.

When the group finally emerged onto the observation deck, a ceremonial honor guard lowered a lone flag to half‑staff. The crowd stood, some eyes glistening, others simply nodding in respect. Captain Michael Turner of the Creech Air Force Base Fire Department even received a towel from a Metro police sergeant – a small, tangible reminder of the camaraderie that ties all first responders together.

The climb wasn’t just about remembrance; it was a promise. By scaling those 108 flights, today’s protectors pledged that the sacrifice of 9/11’s firefighters would never fade from collective memory, even for those who were toddlers when the towers fell.