Nearing 20 years since Sept. 11, 2001, Auburn's ROTC groups have begun a series of events on campus honoring the lives lost during the terrorist attacks.
Wednesday morning at 6 a.m., student commanders from Auburn's Navy, Air Force and Army ROTC branches gathered together in Jordan-Hare Stadium with the Auburn Fire Division. There, a host of students and firefighters participated in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Run.
"The goal was to run 110 flights of stairs throughout the stadium, all with the intent of remembering those who have fallen," said Gabrielle White, public affairs officer for the Naval ROTC.
The 110-story climb, performed by firefighters and other supporters across the country each year, is designed to simulate the distance that firefighters had to travel inside the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Attendees were also able to hear from Auburn Fire Battalion Chief William Dow Sport. Sport spoke on behalf of the firefighters and first responders who participated in the workout.
The Naval ROTC branch has maintained a relationship with the Auburn Fire Division in the years following 9/11, honoring those who died by meeting annually on Sept. 11.
On Thursday, Auburn’s Army ROTC program conducted a physical competition across campus from 5:30-7 a.m. in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks.
This year's events are different from those held in previous years, White said.
"In years past, the Naval ROTC unit has hosted a 9/11 ceremony on Nichols Lawn where Midshipmen, Cadets, Auburn firefighters, students and professors have joined together in memorial," White said.
The events recognizing the 20-year anniversary of 9/11 are scheduled to continue through Saturday, including on-field recognition of local police, fire, EMT and frontline workers during the home football game against Alabama State at 11 a.m.
"This Saturday, Sept. 11, during the Alabama State game, the Auburn Naval ROTC will be honoring the memory of 9/11," White said.
During the pre-game festivities, Army ROTC will hold a contracting ceremony during which 35 new officer cadets will be sworn in, reciting the Oath of Enlistment to make their military commitment official.
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