WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - It's been nearly 22 years since two commercial airliners hit the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, changing the life of every American.

The lives of 343 courageous firefighters were lost that day attempting to save lives. 

Saturday morning was the first Wichita Stair Climb in three years where firefighters from over 30 departments came out climbing multiple floors to remember their fallen brothers. 

"They're exerting a lot of energy and effort to make sure they finish the climb for those who couldn't do it on 9/11," said the event director Stewart Firebaugh

"A lot of people think this is a sad day and part of it is remembering the loss and the grieving that the families had to go through but I like to go through and remember that every person up there was a human being with a lot of happy moments to celebrate," Wichita firefighter Thomas Moloney said,

Many families of firefighters and others in the community came out to support the event.

"It's just amazing, it brings me tears...just all the people that lost their lives in 9/11," Corina Davidson, wife of a Wichita firefighter, said. 

After climbing the stairs, each firefighter rang a bell and said the name of their fallen brother. Each one had a picture of a firefighter who died in the attacks on the equipment attached to their backs.