By Abby Cope
Marietta Daily Journal
CUMBERLAND, Ga. — The home of the Braves became the home of honoring the brave this weekend.
On Saturday, Truist Park hosted the Patriot Day Stair Climb. More than 500 individuals began the 2,200-step climb, symbolizing the 110 flights of stairs first responders climbed during the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001.
| MORE: 9/11 Stair Climb events: Everything you need to know to participate
Each participant wore a lanyard depicting photos and names of individuals who lost their lives during the attack. Names and photos were also displayed on the Jumbotron throughout the climb.
The event is hosted by the Atlanta Braves Foundation and is a collaborative effort between the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund and Georgia’s Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society .
Scott Malcom has volunteered with the Georgia chapter of the firefighters’ fund since its establishment in 2009. He said the climb is consistently the chapter’s biggest event.
“The support we see from these folks is just fantastic,” Malcolm said. “We love to see these numbers come out, not just because of the money raised, but because it tells us that Sept. 11th means something to all these people.”
Funds raised from the climb will go toward assisting Georgia first responders and their families.
Maclom said the chapter provides scholarship grants, gear donations to departments in need and monetary donations to families in crisis.
Malcolm always climbs wearing the lanyard of Capt. Brian Hickey, who was the Captain on Rescue 4. Rescue 4 is the unit Terry Farrell was assigned to the day of the terrorist attacks in New York.
“I carry Capt. Hickey because I was a captain myself in my career,” said Malcolm, who formerly worked at the Cobb County Fire Department.
Starting at 9 a.m., the stairs of Truist Park’s Coca-Cola Deck became a living memorial for fallen heroes.
Many firefighters wore their full gear to bear the weight the first responders carried during the terrorist attacks.
Eddie Robinson has been with the Cherokee County Fire Department for 36 years. This year, he brought his granddaughter, Macie Taylor, with him as she wanted to pay her own special tribute.
“She’s decided she wants to climb for all the children that were orphaned as a result of the attacks,” Robinson explained.
Despite having attended the climb for years, Robinson said he always feels overwhelmed at the sight of it.
“It’s just amazing,” he said. “Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of firefighters have come out to climb in honor of those 343 brave souls. It goes so much deeper than just the sacrifices those guys made that day — it’s the families, the sacrifices and the loss that they had as well.”
Bob Lassiter, a security guard at Truist, said he was honored he got to witness so many first responders paying tribute. Lassiter’s daughter, Tia, serves as a fire captain in Fairfax County, Virginia. Despite the pride he holds for Tia, Lassiter said events like this remind him how dangerous her line of work is.
“It’s scary,” he said. “You see people doing horrible things every day. What happened to those guys during 9/11 was uncalled for.”
Lassiter took photos with firemen in full gear to share with his daughter.
“I wish she could be here to experience this, all of these people doing such a wonderful thing,” he said. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
Andrew Hagebusch has been with the Cobb County Fire Department for two years. Hagebusch, who wore his full fireman uniform, said it was the best he could do to replicate the pressure that first responders on Sept. 11, 2001, were under.
Though it’s his first year doing the climb, Hagebusch said he plans to attend many more. “It’s important to bring up the new generation paying tribute to this,” he said.
Brian Farrell founded the firefighters fund after losing his brother, Terry, on Sept. 11 . Terry was a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department. Farrell, who came to the Atlanta event, joked his brother joined the dark side, as all other Farrell siblings were police officers.
What started as a $500 scholarship turned into a nationwide memorial effort with 15 state chapters. Farrell said he never expected the fund to see so much growth and expansion.
“It’s crazy to think of where we started, with $500,” he said. “Today, out of New York, we’re raising $30 million. Colorado’s chapter is well over a million dollars, and Georgia’s on their way to being over that, as well.”
Farrell said the fund is all about transparency. It operates on a 3% budget to pay for things such as fuel and insurance, and posts all tax returns online to ensure donors know funds are going toward first responders.
“We’re very transparent, and I’m very strict about that,” the founder said.
Terry Farrell was the first firefighter in New York City history to donate bone marrow. His donation saved the life of a young girl. This prompted Brian Farrell to begin a blood drive program within the fund, which he said has had great success.
Despite his efforts with the fund, Brian Farrell said he gives his brother, Terry Farrell, all the credit.
“Terry was the middle brother, and he was the fulcrum between us all. We were just lost without him. We started selling T-shirts out of a bar to raise money to give to a couple of kids. Then Jim Beam came on board and made a label that said “Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund.” After that, it went boom, we started expanding.”
Throughout the more than fifteen years with the fund, Brian Farrell has had one goal in mind — to bring awareness to the fallen 343.
“It’s about honoring their legacy, remembering the day and the importance of the day — through that, we’re able to give back to our own,” Malcolm said.
Taking part in a 9/11 Stair Climb? Share your photos and tell us about your experience!
© 2025 Marietta Daily Journal, Ga..
Visit www.mdjonline.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
