TOLEDO, Ohio — This year, 9/11 marks 23 years since the terror attacks on U.S. soil. Across the country, flags are being flown at half staff and the thousands of families who lost loved ones are still in mourning.
In northwest Ohio, many places ranging from villages to workout facilities are holding observances of some type to make sure people never forget the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost on that day, while also teaching younger generations an important part of American history.
The Toledo Crunch Fitness Gym on Jackman Road is hosting its fourth Crunch Stair Climb Challenge on 9/11. Veteran and fitness instructor Christina Austin said she's proud of the challenge, which encourages people to climb 110 stories to honor first responders.
"You had individuals, heroes, policemen, firefighters, civilians that stepped in and gave their lives so others can live," Austin said. "It is still important 23 years later. It doesn't matter, we have to honor that."
The gym's general manager, Tiffany Garcia, said the challenge is a test of strengths that many want to participate in. The Crunch franchise itself has been doing the stair climb for 15 years, and Garcia said, overall, a variety of ages have been interested.
"Everybody likes to participate, so it's really fun to see. Everybody is different all doing it together," Garcia said.
As Toledo firefighters Josiah Williamson and Jamar Winston prepare for the climb, their practice steps prove a mental, physical and emotional fortitude in honor of fellow firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11.
"Our average fire, we go into a two story home. We have our larger structures that we don't really go, that's not our thing. So, for them to be able to do that at the drop of a hat, it's so impressive. The respect goes out to them for doing that," Williamson said.
Village of Gibsonburg administrator Marc Glotzbecker said he's noticed not as many young people are in-tune with the importance of the day.
"9/11 happened, it didn't happen just in New York City. It didn't happen just in Washington D.C. It didn't happen just in a field in Pennsylvania. It happened to all of us," Glotzbecker said.
He said the village made a promise by creating its memorial in 2016 to echo a lasting commitment to teaching so much about that fateful day. But, while the memorial is there to teach, Glotzbecker said it's up to the older generations who vividly remember the day.
"We owe it to our young people to teach them about it and hopefully they'll take what they learned and make our communities better places and try to make sure there isn't another 9/11," Glotzbecker said.
Gibsonburg is holding an observance for 9/11 at 6 p.m. at the Public Safety Service Memorial in Williams Park, 145-199 E Stone St.