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Firefighters climbed Stone Mountain in full gear to honor 343 fallen first responders 25 years after the September 11 attacks
STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. - Dozens of firefighters climbed Stone Mountain Friday morning to mark 25 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Stone Mountain memorial climb
What we know:
Firefighters from across Georgia scaled Stone Mountain starting around 9 a.m. Friday, reaching the summit about an hour and 15 minutes later. Stone Mountain Park officials expected between 150 and 200 firefighters to participate in the one-mile hike, which is equivalent to 160 flights of stairs.
Several participants completed the trek in full fire gear. Manchester Fire Department Chief Ben Williams said firefighters on 9/11 did not have an option and went in full gear, so participants made the same sacrifice. Some firefighters walked back down the mountain in their gear alongside their families.
Firefighter family tributes
What they're saying:
Former Henry County Fire Capt. Travis Miller carried photos around his neck during the hike honoring two firefighters who died during the 2001 attacks. Miller said his cousin, a New York firefighter, survived after being trapped in a truck under rubble for more than seven hours when one of the towers collapsed.
"The tradition that we keep coming up here and paying homage to those 343 that climbed the stairs and knew what was about to happen to them, and they kept on going anyway," Miller said. Henry County Fire Rescue Capt. Jason Mullinax added that the climb is the least responders could do to commemorate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
: Firefighters gather at the summit of Stone Mountain Park on Sept. 11, 2026, after hiking a one-mile trail in full gear—equivalent to 160 flights of stairs—to honor the fallen 25 years after the 2001 terrorist attacks. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Firefighters hold an American flag overlooking Metro Atlanta from the top of Stone Mountain on Sept. 11, 2026, as part of a 25th-anniversary memorial climb paying tribute to the 343 firefighters who died in 2001. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Former Henry County Fire Capt. Travis Miller holds tribute badges displaying photos of fallen FDNY firefighters during a memorial hike up Stone Mountain on Sept. 11, 2026, honoring those lost in the 2001 attacks. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Georgia firefighters rest at the summit of Stone Mountain on Sept. 11, 2026, after making the sacrifice to climb the 160-stair-flight equivalent in full turnout gear to honor fallen first responders. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Firefighters alongside family members gather atop Stone Mountain on Sept. 11, 2026, following a one-mile memorial climb honoring the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Fayette County firefighters and community members pose for a group photo at Stone Mountain Park on Sept. 11, 2026, after completing a memorial hike honoring 9/11 victims. (FOX 5 Atlanta) First responders from across Georgia gather at Stone Mountain Park on Sept. 11, 2026, to commemorate the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Exhausted firefighters shed heavy equipment at the summit of Stone Mountain on Sept. 11, 2026, after trekking one mile in full turnout gear for the 25th anniversary 9/11 memorial climb. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Firefighters navigate the granite summit of Stone Mountain Park carrying flags and equipment on Sept. 11, 2026, during an annual climb commemorating fallen 9/11 heroes. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Firefighters navigate the granite summit of Stone Mountain Park carrying flags and equipment on Sept. 11, 2026, during an annual climb commemorating fallen 9/11 heroes. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Firefighters navigate the granite summit of Stone Mountain Park carrying flags and equipment on Sept. 11, 2026, during an annual climb commemorating fallen 9/11 heroes. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Firefighters navigate the granite summit of Stone Mountain Park carrying flags and equipment on Sept. 11, 2026, during an annual climb commemorating fallen 9/11 heroes. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Fatalities from 9/11
By the numbers:
In total, 343 New York firefighters and nearly 3,000 people died during the Sept. 11 attacks 25 years ago.
Official ceremony details
What we don't know:
Park officials have not confirmed whether the memorial climb will remain an annual tradition at Stone Mountain for future anniversaries.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from FOX 5 reporter Rey Llerena, who reported live from Stone Mountain Park, as well as interviews with former Henry County Fire Capt. Travis Miller, Henry County Fire Rescue Capt. Jason Mullinax, Manchester Fire Department Chief Ben Williams, and Stone Mountain Park officials.