Dozens pay tribute to 9/11 service members during Durango stair climbFirefighters, law enforcement complete Sky Steps in honor of fallen first respondersFirefighters, law enforcement and community members climbed the Sky Steps just west of Fort Lewis College on Monday in commemoration of service members who responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City.Firefighters said it was a chance to reflect on the commitment and sacrifice men and women in the emergency services made 22 years ago, as well as the dedication first responders give to their communities every day.“There are people entering the fire service that weren’t even alive on that day, which is kind of hard for some of us to believe who were alive that day and remember it,” said Deputy Chief Randy Black, with Durango Fire Protection District.The day began about 9 a.m. at the top of the Sky Steps, with a short speech read by Capt. Mark Fleming with Upper Pine River Fire Protection District.“Your involvement, irrespective of participation in climbing the stairs, pays homage and preserves the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Fleming said.Several dozen first responders then descended the Sky Steps and then climbed them, completing five laps to signify the highest point firefighters climbed in the World Trade Center – 110 levels – before the towers collapsed.“When that tower came down, I go, ‘They’re all (expletive) dead,’” said Rich Dory, choking back tears.Dory, who worked with the Chicago Fire Department for 37 years, was part of a FEMA team that went to Ground Zero a week after 9/11 to help dig through the debris in search of victims.He choked up again when remembering the letters family members left on site in those early days.“They were all saying, ‘Daddy, I miss you and I hope you’re OK,’” he said. “That affected me more than anything. … It was brutal.”The Sky Steps run from the base of East Sixth Avenue and 10th Street to the top of Fort Lewis College Mesa. Firefighters and law enforcement patted each other on the backs and shoulders as they passed each other along the 750-foot route. At the 343rd step, they rang a bell in honor of the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11 in the towers.Several firefighters wore full gear, which weighed 40 pounds. One also carried a chainsaw. They switched off carrying an American flag up and down the steps. At the top of the steps, many touched the remains of a steel I-beam that used to be part of the World Trade Center.Black said 9/11 was one of the worst days for the country and first responders, but emergency workers run toward danger every day in an effort to save lives while others make their escape. Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, firefighters put their own health at risk in the pursuit of helping others, he said.The 9/11 Stair Climb, in its eighth year, was organized by Fleming and Capt. Breaux Burns, with the Durango Fire Protection District.The Stair Climb is in no way intended to be a fun outing or sporting exercise, Burns said. Rather, it reflects the selflessness and ultimate sacrifice others made in the spirit of helping others, he said.“They didn't want to go to the Twin Towers and parish,” Burns said. “So this is to pay homage to the 343 firefighters who died and a bunch of EMS and police officers, as well.”Several participants also served in the military, including Burns and Durango Police Department Chief Bob Brammer.Burns served as a Marine at the time of 9/11. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003, a direct response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he said.“As firefighters, we're pretty much going to war every day, just in a different manner,” Burns said. “We see some things that other people don't see, and we do things that other people don't do. And we love our jobs, but at times we have a hard job.”Fleming said the Stair Climb is a way to empathize with the service members who died on 9/11, particularly the New York City Fire Department.“I think that participating in a stair climb like this almost makes you (understand) not only what they were up against, but just how physically demanding, mentally demanding this job can be,” Fleming said. “The first responders will give it all to save others.”shane@durangoherald.com
Durango scores 41-7 win over Aztec High School on Thursday night
Custom bikes on display during Four Corners Motorcycle RallyThousands of riders roll through Durango areaHundreds turned out to the La Plata County Fairgrounds, Durango Harley-Davidson and the Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio on Saturday for the 30th annual Four Corners Motorcycle Rally.The Durango area hummed with the sounds of motors in the lead up to the rally, which started on Thursday and really kicked into gear Friday with stunt shows, Harley-Davidson demonstrations and bike shows.Trevor Bird, Durango Harley-Davidson dealership owner and event organizer, previously told The Durango Herald the 30th anniversary is a big deal and he expects to have the largest attendance in the rally’s history.The La Plata County Fairgrounds baseball field hosted more than 600 tents and campsites for Labor Day weekend travelers to make it easy for guests to reach events at the fairgrounds, he said.The Durango-based rock ’n’ roll group Ben Gibson Band jammed while engines revved at the fairgrounds on Saturday where visitors admired rows of V-Twin motorcycles propped up for display for the V-Twin Visionary Performance Motorcycle Show.Among the crowd of motorcycle enthusiasts were people who traveled from across Colorado and New Mexico, some attending the Labor Day weekend celebration for their first time and some longtime fans of the event.Robert Espinosa of V-Claws and Customs in Pueblo rode to town for his first experience at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally. He and his crew displayed Custom V-Claws decorated with elaborate patterns, vibrant colors and creative murals.“Real cholo design, low-rider style,” he said. “Works of art. … Strong candy paint jobs. A lot of engraving, a lot of custom work.”One motorcycle had a 32-inch diameter front wheel, dwarfing the wheels on another ride beside it. Some of the bikes had engravings that were stitched into their metal builds with an engraver tool that looks and functions similarly to a tattoo gun, he said. Other bikes had patterns that were engraved by hand.Espinosa said he hopes the rally receives a big turnout this weekend and encourages people to come out and show support for the motorcycle scene of Colorado and New Mexico.An Albuquerque man who identified himself simply by his first name, Scott, said he met a Denver friend and his wife in Durango for the rally. But the crowd seemed a little thin Saturday afternoon, to his surprise.Regardless, he said he was looking forward to seeing the Wall of Death performance later in the day, where riders take their bikes into a spherical cage and rely on their momentum to carry them in death-defying loops.He said the weather was perfect and gorgeous for a motorcycle ride with just the right amount of cloud cover. He and his friends’ favorite trip in the area is U.S. Highway 160 between Durango and Pagosa Springs.“It’s been a great day, man. Went downtown and ate at Carver’s, it was excellent,” he said. “Beautiful weather.”Another Pueblo resident, Greg Compton, said he and his partner have attended the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally for the last 20 or so years. Durango to Cortez is among their favorite drives in the area.Food trucks, beer gardens, tattoo artists and motorcycle gear vendors were stationed around the fairgrounds and Durango Harley-Davidson for people’s enjoyment.Flat track races at La Plata County Fairgrounds were slated to start at 5 p.m. Saturday, to be followed by the Ives Brothers’ Wall of Death performance, the Dixxon and V-Twin Visionary Party, the Brawl Awards Ceremony and an after party scheduled to last until 12:30 a.m.Sunday also boasts a packed schedule, starting with the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives Ride beginning at Durango Harley-Davidson. A number of contests and bike shows are scheduled throughout the day.cburney@durangoherald.com
