photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Curtis Marsh plays "Taps" near daybreak on Sept. 11, 2026 as part of the KU ROTC's 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Event at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on the KU campus.

More than 100 members of the University of Kansas ROTC program and area first responders from fire and police departments broke a sweat early Friday morning as part of an event to remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The KU ROTC 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was done in remembrance of the victims of the attacks that occurred 25 years ago, and also recognized all who responded to the attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.

A heavy pre-dawn fog covered David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium where participants ran or walked the stairs of the stadium and then gathered on the field for brief remarks from area military leaders.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Members of KU’s ROTC programs and area first responders climbed stairs before dawn on Sept. 11, 2026 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on the KU campus to remember the lives lost and the service of everyone who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Kansas David Booth Memorial Stadium was lighted in a patriotic theme in the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 11, 2026. More than 100 members of the KU ROTC programs and area first responders gathered at the stadium for the ROTC’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

A couple of first responders came dressed in full gear for an early morning workout and 9/11 remembrance event at the University of Kansas’ football stadium on Sept. 11, 2026.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

More than a hundred members of the KU ROTC program and area first responders participated in the ROTC’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at David Booth Memorial Stadium before dawn on Sept. 11, 2026.