APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) - Appleton Police and Fire Fighters joined forces today to remember the victims of 9/11.

They climbed hundreds of stairs in their honor, at the Banta Bowl. It started at 7:46 am the time the first plane hit. Each of the 23 steps was marked by the picture of a NYPD officer killed on 9/11.

Appleton Police Investigator Neal Rabas says " You look at different officer and think of what they had to do and what their family is currently going through."

Wearing full gear, Fire Fighters climbed the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs. That is how many flights were inside the twin towers.

"I was thinking of that day and how the officers were running into the building" says Rabas who carried our Nation's flag the entire way.

Spectators joined the climb and offered a hand of encouragement. Each of them has a reason for coming to the event

"Our son Ryan is running the event today" says Donna Guillette. "When 9/11 happened Ryan signed up to join the navy and was a bomb specialist before he was an Appleton Police Officer."

Appleton Fire Chaplain Jay Thomas climbed today with memories of his own time at ground zero.

Thomas recalls "The first day I got a on site at 9/11 my first thought is this is people who are united, patriotic and we stand on holy ground".

Channel 5's Millaine Wells was there for the climb and has the story.