Muscatine first responders and community members will gather Sept. 11 to honor the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as part of Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance.
The 2026 observance marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and will begin with a moment of silence at 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Muscatine Firefighters Memorial at East Fifth and Cedar streets. The ceremony will be held rain or shine.
The observance will honor the 2,977 people who died in the attacks, including 343 firefighters, 23 NYPD officers, 37 Port Authority Police Department officers, eight volunteer/EMS personnel and one New York Fire Patrol member.
“Twenty-five years later, the memories of that day remain as powerful as ever,” Fire Chief Mike Hartman said. “We honor the strength, bravery, and selflessness shown by first responders and everyday citizens alike.”
Following the moment of silence, the Muscatine Fire Department will host its annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Muscatine High School football stadium. The opening ceremony begins at 8:15 a.m., with the stair climb scheduled to begin at 8:52 a.m., marking the time the first FDNY units arrived at the World Trade Center.
Participants will climb the equivalent of 110 stories, or 2,200 steps, representing the climb firefighters made while heading toward the Twin Towers to help others.
The event will include remarks from Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark and Fire Chief Mike Hartman, a presentation of colors by the Honor Guard, the National Anthem performed by the Muscatine High School Marching Band and a prayer from Chaplain Roy Patterson.
Bells will sound throughout the event to mark key moments of the Sept. 11 attacks. Climbers will also ring a bell when they finish and call out the name of a fallen hero they are honoring. The event will conclude with five traditional firefighter bell strikes signifying the end of duty.
Those interested in participating in the stair climb are asked to register in advance and arrive between 7:45 and 8:10 a.m. T-shirts for the event must be ordered by Sept. 1, with proceeds benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
“Whether you are a firefighter, first responder, community member, or simply someone who wants to honor those we lost, we would love to have you climb with us,” firefighter Conner Christiansen, who is coordinating the event, said.
Questions about the stair climb can be directed to Christiansen at [email protected].
The Muscatine Fire Department and city of Muscatine will also hold a memorial service at 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, honoring Mike Kruse, the only Muscatine firefighter to die in the line of duty.
