SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Members of the 412th Contracting Support Brigade and Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Sam Houston took part in the first San Antonio 110 9/11 Memorial Climb to the top of the Tower of the Americas here Sept. 11.
They joined firefighters, law enforcement and members of the community to honor the first responders and victims of the attacks that took place Sept. 11, 2001.
The inaugural memorial and climb to the top of the Tower of the Americas honored the 343 firefighters, more than 60 law enforcement officers and thousands of civilians who were killed that day. The climb to the top consisted of 65 flights or 952 stairs, and participants were asked to go to the top of the tower twice, representing 110 floors and the height of the World Trade Center Twin Towers. Each firefighter, law enforcement and military participant was asked to carry the name of a first responder who died in the towers. A bell was rung for them and their name was placed on a replica tower at the top of the Tower of the Americas at the end of the second climb.
The eight participants from the 412th CSB and MICC-Fort Sam Houston carried with them the names of seven firefighters who responded to the twin towers attacks. The participants included: Lt. Col. Sylvia Farmer; Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Hammond; Maj. Manuel Prado; Maj. Michael Ozols; Capt. Francisco Cordero; Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Carter; Staff Sgt. Brian Roussel; and Lysette Sanchez. Names of the firefighters included: Capt. Vernon Richard; James Riches; Lt. Michael Russo; Joseph Rivelli Jr.; Stephen Russell; Lt. Robert Regan; and Kevin Reilly.
Sanchez, a Department of the Amy civilian for the 412th CSB, wanted to participate after hearing about the climb through an email. She previously had climbed the tower to raise money to fight cystic fibrosis.
The Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot observation tower and restaurant on the southeastern side of downtown San Antonio. The tower was built in 1968 and, until 1996, was the tallest observation tower in the United States. It is currently the tallest building in San Antonio and the 27th tallest building in Texas.
Roussel, a member of the 607th Senior Contingency Contracting Team at MICC-Fort Sam Houston, is a native New Yorker and volunteer firefighter. He knows firsthand the sacrifices that first responders have to make during an emergency situation.
"I was honored to be able to participate in this amazing event and carry with me the name of a fallen firefighter," Roussel said. "Sept. 11, 2001, changed my life forever, and the bravery those first responders showed that day is what inspired me to enter the military. I will never forget and I hope I honor their memories with my service."
Participants from the 412th CSB and MICC-Fort Sam Houston were accompanied by more than 600 participants who honored the memory of the men and women who sacrificed their lives during the attacks 12 years ago.
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