Firefighters pay tribute on 9/11

Two Gluckstadt firefighters climbed the same number of floors as the World Trade Center on a stair master in more than 80 pounds of gear last week in memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Firefighters Paul Springer and Payton Price regularly work out at Gluckstadt Fitness on Dees Road. Springer said the memorial climb, which they did on Sept. 11 was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

“I called Payton and said if you are meeting me at the gym today bring your gear,” Springer said.

Price said the idea was “one hundred percent Paul” but said he was down for the challenge.

“I think he had the idea that morning,” Price said.

Springer said once it occurred to him to do the memorial climb the reason was simple.

“We wanted to honor the 343 that didn't make it out,” Springer said.

Springer said he was up to the challenge. Though this was the first time he made such a climb in all his firefighting gear. Price estimated they had between 80 and 100 pounds of equipment on apiece.

“It was definitely a challenge,” Springer said.

Springer finished his climb first in about 30 minutes and took a knee behind his friend, Price, in support. Price came off his stair master about five minutes later.

“Floor 75 was where it got difficult,” Price said. “I really started to slow down after that. Just had to take it one step at a time.”

Price said he was glad they got the opportunity to memorialize those who lost their lives on that day.