Wednesday, September 21, 2022
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City Center Hosted 9/11 Memorial Tower Climb
North Texas First Responders Participated in Memorial Tower Climb of Downtown Fort Worth’s Bank of America Tower
City Center Fort Worth hosted more than one hundred first responders September 11 for a Memorial Tower Climb, including local police and fire departments, FBI agents, county sheriff deputies, and City Center Security, who climbed the stairs of the Bank of America Tower to honor first responders who died September 11, 2001.
Participants climbed the stairs from the ground floor to the 27th floor, then returned to the ground floor and repeated the 27-story climb a total of four times to replicate the 110-story climb to the top of the New York World Trade Center. Each climber wore a lanyard with a photo and name of an original 9/11 First Responder.
“We were honored to have so many first responders from across North Texas join us,” said Johnny Campbell, President and CEO of City Center Management. “In addition to police and fire department personnel from Fort Worth and Tarrant County, we had men and women representing departments from Burleson, Flower Mound, Grand Prairie, Haltom City, Midlothian, and others. It was a solemn and significant occasion as we remembered the sacrifices made on that fateful day.”
The event began with remarks from Campbell, City Center Security Chief Joel Glenn, Fort Worth City Councilmember District 9 Elizabeth Beck, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno.
Fort Worth Police Department Detective Kyle Harris played Taps, followed by a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. to mark the time American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001.
First responders began their climb at 8:47 a.m. when Fort Worth Fire Department Engine No. 1 sounded its siren. The Fort Worth Fire Museum also brought out a restored 1900’s horse-drawn fire hose wagon and a bell from a 1940 Fort Worth Fire Engine.
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Brennan Kane from the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) finished the climb first. He made the comment, “But I wasn’t carrying a full pack like the firefighters.” The first firefighter to finish wearing full gear was Preston Hornick, representing Parker County Fire Department. Preston’s father Kevin Hornick, who retired recently from the Southlake Fire Department, also did the climb.
Of the 2,977 victims killed in the September 11 attacks, 415 were first responders, including 343 firefighters; 37 Port Authority and New Jersey police officers; 23 New York City police officers; eight private EMTs and paramedics; three New York State Court Officers; one New York Fire Patrol officer and one FBI Special Agent.
Over the course of three hours, 121 engine companies, 62 ladder companies and 27 fire officers were deployed to the scene. All off-duty firefighters were recalled—the first time the FDNY issued a total recall in more than 30 years.
City Center is the premier business address with Class A office space in downtown Fort Worth. Comprised of the Bank of America Tower and the Wells Fargo Tower, the two iconic towers offer stunning views of Fort Worth, connected parking and an on-site private club with fitness center. More info at https://citycenterfw.com
Photos by David Alvey.
Preston Hornick, Parker County Probationary firefighter, rings the bell after completing the Tower Climb. Hornick was the first firefighter to finish the climb wearing a full pack.
US Navy Chief Petty Officer Brennan Kane from the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) finished the climb first.
L to R: Johnny Campbell, President and CEO of City Center was joined by Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn; Bill Smarr, Secret Service, SAOC – Dallas; Joel Glenn, City Center Security; HT1 Gregory Page and CPO Brennan Kane, USN, from the Littoral Combat Ship USS Fort Worth LCS-3; and Matt DeSarno, FBI, SAIC – Dallas.
Father & Son firefighters Kevin Hornick, retired Southlake FD Captain, and Preston Hornick, Parker County Probationary firefighter, who started his first job as a firefighter with Lake Worth FD this week. Preston Hornick was the first to finish the climb with a full pack.
