Lauderdale County residents and first responders gathered in the Arts District Parking Garage Thursday evening to remember and honor the more than 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks and eighth year for the Stair Climb, which sees first responders and area residents climb the parking garage stairs 22 times for a total of 110 stories. It’s the same distance first responders on 9/11 climbed to reach victims and get them to safety.
Jason McElhenney, a former Meridian police officer and member of the Mississippi Air National Guard 186th Air Refueling Wing at Key Field, who served as guest speaker for the event, said the sacrifice made by first responders during the attacks cannot be forgotten. Their courage and willingness to run toward danger must be remembered and honored.
“They set aside their personal needs and desires to go risk their lives to help complete strangers because this was their job and their calling,” he said.
Prior to the climb, community members recognized local first responders who have made an impact with Spirit of 9/11 awards. Among those recognized was Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department’s Lt. Andy Matuszewski.
Starting off in emergency services in 1988, Matuszewski entered law enforcement in 1994 and joined the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department in 1996. He serves as the Crisis Intervention Team Manager, Accreditation Manager, SWAT Crisis Negotiator, Legislative Liaison and Special Projects Manager. He is also the president of the Mississippi Division of the Southern State’s Police Benevolent Association.
Throughout his career, Matuszewski has helped train law enforcement students at the East Mississippi Public Safety Institute and served internationally with the U.S. State Department’s International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Bureau on the Police training mission to Iraq and with an assignment to the United Nations Mission to Kosovo.
Also recognized with Spirit of 9/11 awards were Metro Ambulance’s Hunter Staton, Meridian Fire Department Battalion Chief Kenny Robinson, Meridian Police Department Lt. Michael Herrick and UMMC AirCare’s Ally Westrope.
As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, firefighters, police officers and emergency medical workers throughout the nation continue to run toward danger and put the safety of others ahead of their own, McElhenney said. It is through their courage and their dedication that the spirit of 9/11 lives on.