Embry-Riddle ROTC Stair Climb at Daytona International Speedway Honors Fallen 9/11 Firefighters

Before daybreak today, almost 800 Embry-Riddle ROTC cadets and midshipmen gathered at Daytona International Speedway to climb roughly 2,100 stairs.

The memorial climb, which symbolizes the 110 flights firefighters climbed to rescue individuals trapped inside New York City’s World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, was particularly personal for one cadet. Frankie Morrisey, a senior Army ROTC cadet, attended the stair climb with his father, Frank, who was there, serving as a New York City firefighter, when the towers fell.

Frank Morrisey, who served as an FDNY firefighter on Sept. 11, addresses cadets and midshipmen before they begin their climb. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/David Massey)

Addressing the cadets and midshipmen before they began their climb, the elder Morrisey thanked students for honoring the memories of those who died, as well as those who have been affected by health issues over the past 24 years since their time at Ground Zero.

Embry‑Riddle’s Army ROTC Eagle Battalion, which organized the climb, was joined by Embry-Riddle ROTC students from the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force. ROTC students from Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College and Stetson University participated as well.

Also in attendance were United Airlines representatives, including Captain Paul Ryder. A flight student at the time, Ryder drew on his experience in the Marine Corps Reserve to assist with search-and-rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero. He said that the tragic event inspired him to stay with aviation because it was a way of fighting back against the attacks on the U.S. and against the industry.

“Being hired by United was an incredible completion of the circle for me,” he said. “Ultimately, flying for an airline that lost two airplanes in the tragic attacks to now not only being a pilot at United, but also having seen United grow and become the largest carrier in the world, is a story of perseverance and the American story of overcoming challenge.”

Captain Paul Ryder of United Airlines congratulates cadets as they finish the 9/11 memorial stair climb. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/David Massey)

For Lt. Col. Jerome Reitano, commander of the Daytona Beach Campus Army ROTC program and professor of Military Science, the 9/11 memorial stair climb — now in its second year — is about selfless service. “It's about duty. It's about coming together and being a part of something bigger than yourself,” he said.

Sam Mauk, an Army ROTC cadet and junior Mechanical Engineering major, said the climb was a poignant way to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11.

“So many of us were impacted by it,” she said. “Our families were impacted by it, and a lot of us have found a lot of motivation to serve from it.”