Climb On

On the second Saturday of this September, my family participated in a Stair Climb challenge. The challenge, held @ First Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial, was in remembrance of all the first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. 

To generations of humans, when "9/11" is heard, it automatically resonates as an event, not a day. In the 24 years since the televised scene of the Twin Towers falling down, time and technology have worked together to try to capture the profound impact of "9/11" to a generation that was not on Earth in 2001 or too young to remember. The capture is in audio recordings, documentaries, and movies; in heartbreaking interviews and in heartpounding creations - the memorial and museum in NYC; the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville. The appreciation primarily comes in the form of observation and reflection. 

The Stair Climb offered appreciation through exercise - an interactive and active way to never forget. 

Bold Athletics, the Crossfit gym I joined in December 2024, hosted the Stair Climb. Ten months ago, I did not realize how that membership would evolve into a fitness family, full of colorful characters and language, community engagement, and a united camaraderie in whatever workout is written on the whiteboard that day. My wife joined in February. My daughters have participated as Bold Kids and as Crossfit cheerleaders from winter to fall. The next generation. 

The Bold experience has been motivating, humbling, fun, hillarious, and at times, painful (during one workout, my attempt to do a final rep of toes-to-bar resulted in ass-to-floor). I recovered from that 41-year-old folly and had no thoughts of falling down the War Memorial steps this past Saturday. 

Ok, maybe a thought. But, it was less about me and more about the domino effect that it may cause. Luckily, first responders were on scene. 

When we arrived at the arena shortly after sunrise, the red, white, and blue started to burst, a community canvas of Crossfit and connection. There were familiar faces, a small army of Bold members, combined with firefighters, EMS, neighbors, and television crews. The hockey ice provided a cooling effect before close to 100 humans went on a 2,000+ steps journey. And in that journey, it is amazing how much heat and hope can be generated by people doing something together. 

It was an invigorating visual boosted by music and then silent reflection - at 9:03 AM, when the first tower was struck. At 9:37 AM, when the Pentagon was hit. At 9:59 AM, when a plane crashed into the second tower. At 10:02 AM, when Flight 93 crashed on a Somerset County field. 

And after every pause, we kept climbing. For every completed climbed lap around the arena, there were more burning calves and cheering climbers. At some point, a Ric Flair WOOOO revolution ignited. During this professional wrestler phenomenon, I looked down at my climbing tag. I was climbing for Paul J. Pansini, a firefighter out of Engine #10. He looked like a guy who had a sense of humor. 

I am not exactly sure why I picked Paul. Every participant had the honor of selecting a photographed climb tag of a person who paid the ultimate sacrifice trying to save others on 9/11. At some point during the WOOOs, I saw my wife stair climbing. Saw my daughters across the arena. I took a heartfelt second to look down at a smiling Paul and unleashed an emotion-packed WOOO. 

When I got home, I learned more about Paul. According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, "on his off time, he was always with his wife and children, they went everywhere together. He loved fishing and hiking. He was also a very comical person and always had a smile." Paul was a lot like me. 

Those words were written by his wife. 

I am going to hang on to my Paul J. Pansini climb tag. I think we would have been friends if we ever crossed paths. I bet he would have had a hearty laugh watching me fall to the Crossfit floor after an incomplete toes-to-bar. He will continue to cross my mind as I try to be the best Girl Dad I can be. 

Thanks to Bold Athletics for organizing this event and giving my family an opportunity to be together to support a great cause. Thanks to the firefighters, police officers, and all the first responders who serve. There were no greater fist bumps on this Saturday then those given to firemen carrying 80 pounds of gear up-and-down War Memorial steps. Attitude of gratitude for those who show up, protect, and pave the way. 

And the biggest thanks goes to Paul J. Pansini, Firefighter, Engine 10. 

The best way to honor those we have lost...

Climb on.