Event on Sat., Sept. 13 to underscore "We will never forget"

Thirteen years after the deadliest terrorist attacks on American soil in U.S. history, the vow to "never forget" the lives sacrificed remains strong. In remembrance, local residents have the opportunity to attend the fourth annual 9/11 Memorial Hill Climb event on Saturday, Sept. 13, in the Interstate 15 corridor area of Fallbrook. Participating in the actual hike itself is optional, as the event features other aspects.

"Each year our goal is to make it better than the previous year," said Fallbrook Firefighter's Association event organizer John Choi, a six-year engineer/paramedic with North County Fire. "We stood united then and we should continue to stand together now as Americans. This is not only a remembrance, but a statement that they (the terrorists) did not win."

This year's family-friendly event is destined to be bigger and better than ever, and that is because it reflects a more comprehensive look at America's losses, including those after the initial four coordinated attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Close to 3,000 lives were lost that day due to the airplane hijackings by 19 members of the Islamic terrorist group Al-Qaeda; over 400 police officers and firefighters that responded to assist the wounded were killed. Given that this incident is what launched the U.S. government's resulting "War on Terrorism," the death toll continues to climb.

"At last check, I believe we have now lost 4,452 service members since 9/11; that is directly correlated to the foot actions abroad in the War on Terrorism," explained Choi. "That's really significant."

Choi has first-hand experience of this since he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000 to 2004 and was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq.

"This [event] is near and dear to me," he said and that is why this year's event takes the larger number of lives lost to the forefront for remembrance.

"We want this memorial not to only remember the victims of the day (Sept. 11), but remember those who have given their lives in military efforts against the war on terror," he said.

North County Fire Marshal Sid Morel, who is about to retire, founded the 9/11 Memorial Hill Climb in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of the attacks. "We wanted to do more to recognize the sacrifices made at that time. I was at the national fire academy in Maryland when I saw climbs that were being done inside buildings, on stairs, in remembrance." Morel said since Fallbrook didn't have any high-rise buildings, his thought went to the outdoors.

"I had done hikes the Fallbrook Land Conservancy offered; I knew Monserate Mountain's elevation could make it work, because the gain is similar to the height of the twin towers," he said, "and the national foundation supports getting these events going, so it made it easy to get started."

Last year, Choi surprised Morel with a copy of the national foundation's new poster promoting the memorial climb event.

"It featured a photo of my wife, Pam, from our first year's event," said Morel. "It was so great."

However, earlier this year Morel wasn't sure he would even be able to participate in the climb.

"I was left paralyzed after a back surgery; I wasn't able to walk for six or seven months; I have been bedridden and in so much pain," said Morel. "Then, after having another surgery, my goal was to be able to hike the hill by the time the event got here. I can make it to the top now!"

In cooperation with the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, the Fallbrook Firefighters Association holds the event at the Monserate Mountain trailhead, located at the intersection of Stewart Canyon Road and Canonita Drive, just east of Interstate 15.

The event consists of two elements – a free memorial celebration at the trailhead which will begin with a commencement ceremony at 8:30 a.m. featuring the presentation of the Colors, bag pipes, the National Anthem, and a remembrance speech.

"We will have 9/11 survivor Regina Cervantes in attendance with her family," said Choi. "She was an emergency medical technician that worked at Ground Zero and has good recollection of the second tower going down because she was triaging the first victims in an adjacent building when that tower collapsed."

The "World Memorial" will also be showcased at the event. "This is a non-profit group that travels and showcases the events of 9/11," said Choi.

An impressive display of flags will be brought to the event by Albert Kapitanski, known as "The Flag Man of Oceanside."

"He contributes a great flag display – from historical American Flags to fire and law enforcement flags," said Choi. "He brings a united front to these events."

In addition, music will be provided by a disc jockey and a large raffle will be held with many enticing prizes, including restaurant gift certificates, gym memberships, massage, movie tickets, hair services, and much more. A unique food opportunity will be offered in that Crab Cakes 9/11 owner Bonnie Kendall will be on site with food she served to rescue workers on that day 13 years ago as well as her popular crab cakes. Kendall is donating a portion of her proceeds to the fundraiser. The major sponsors of the event include Yogurt Palace, Los Willows, California Casualty Insurance, Broken Yolk (Oceanside), CR Properties, and 1800Boardup.

Over 260 have registered to participate in the hike itself, with more welcome up to the day of the event. Registration on the day of the hike begins at 7 a.m. Those that pre-register by Friday, Sept. 12 can do so with a $45 donation per person (groups of four or more $40 per person); day of event donation is $50 per person; no charge for children. Adult participants receive an event t-shirt; those that complete the climb to the top also receive a commemorative coin.

The hikers will be sent up the climb in groups, Choi said, each led by a military member (active duty or retired) carrying the American flag. Group assignment will be done when each hiker picks up a photo of a 9/11 victim to carry with them on the climb.

"When they carry that American flag, they are carrying the memory of all those who have died as a result of 9/11; it is a symbol of carrying the American flag wherever they go – for all of us," he said. "The service members will be the first to charge the hill."

Given the two-fold focus of remembrance, two organizations will benefit from the proceeds of the event.

"The proceeds from this event are being split equally between the National Fallen Firefighters Association and Homes for our Troops," said Choi. "We have a lot of really cool things that will make this a very vibrant and alive memorial event," Given the enhancements and its steady growth, this event demonstrates that Americans continue to underscore "we will never forget."

To learn more or to register for the hike, visit http://www.fallbrookfirefighters.org.