Trial by fire: Sheppard firefighters honor their fallen through stair climb Published Sept. 10, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- 110 stories, 343 firefighters in full gear and more than 2000 stairs is what Sheppard firemen encountered as they venerated their fellow comrades in memory of 9/11 on Sept. 6, 2014. This national event is known as a 9/11 Firefighter Memorial Stair Climb, it is an event hosted by a variety of organizations to honor the firefighters who lost their lives that fateful day. Limited to 343 people, the participation matches the number of firefighters who perished. Firefighters from the 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron went to events in Oklahoma City and Dallas to give their fellow brothers a proper hail and farewell. In full turnout gear, firefighters make the physically exerting ordeal bearing the name of a firefighter who braved blazing flames and made the ultimate sacrifice. "The guy I was climbing for wasn't even on duty that day," remembered 82nd CES fire captain Justin Kennedy. The climb also represented a sense of closure. "They didn't get to complete their mission...we basically get to complete their mission for them," said 82nd CES fire engineer, David Markey. Markey remembers the taxing journey with clarity. "Even if you're in tip-top shape, it's going to take at least an hour to get up there," he stated. Some considered the event one of the most challenging moments in their life. "I was hurting, it was hard, it was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done," said Randy Pocowatchit, 82nd CES fire captain. "I've got a lot of respect for those guys," he said. Kennedy felt a sense of somber accomplishment through the event. "It's really proud, you got some of their fallen brothers standing right there watching you, patting you on the back for it- telling you what it means to them and their departed." he said.