COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Twenty-five years after the morning that reshaped the nation and redefined American resolve, the Defense Supply Center Columbus and Defense Supply Center Richmond communities proved that time has not diminished the promise to never forget.
Leading up to and on Patriot Day, service members and civilian personnel across both installations transformed sweat, stamina and shared remembrance into a living tribute. The observance began on Sept. 9, as members of the DSCR workforce took to the course for their memorial 5K run, setting the stage for Sept. 11 events at DSCC, where personnel gathered at the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fitness Center for the installation’s annual 9/11 Memorial 5K and a daylong Hero Climb.
Honoring sacrifice on the course
Across both installations, runners and walkers stepped off in unison, navigating their respective 5K courses in a shared show of unity, resilience and remembrance. From seasoned athletes pushing their pace to coworkers walking shoulder to shoulder, every stride taken honored the nearly 3,000 lives lost a quarter-century ago and celebrated the enduring bravery of first responders who charged toward danger.
For participants at both centers, the run provided an opportunity for personal reflection on the significance of the 25-year milestone.
At DSCR, nearly 200 participants completed the course. Andre Heiskill, an OT program analyst, crossed the finish line as the event’s second-place runner, emphasizing the core purpose of his participation.
“I came out today to make sure the fallen are not forgotten,” Heiskill said.
At DSCC, a crowd of runners and walkers took to the 3.1-mile route. Matt Cowden, a weapons system support manager, noted that his strong connection to Patriot Day compelled him to take part. He shared how the gravity of the occasion helped carry him across the finish line.
“My heart still breaks for all the heroes lost and the families of the fallen, and this run is a small way in which we can honor their sacrifices,” he said. “My mind wanted to quit running so bad, but my heart wouldn’t let me, and I pushed on through the pain to honor everyone we lost that day.”
Cowden added that marking the 25-year milestone serves as an important reminder of enduring national solidarity.
“It’s still hard to believe it’s been 25 years since that day, but I love the fact that America will never forget,” he said. “Coming together for events like this can hopefully help us get back to the national pride and unity we all felt right after 9/11, as that’s exactly what this country needs right now.”
For Stephen Welsh, an FMWR fitness program specialist and Army veteran who helped organize the event, the anniversary carries immense personal and professional significance.
“As a veteran, I have always viewed 9/11 as one of the central catalysts for my decision to serve in the United States Army,” Welsh said. “Given the deep emotion of the anniversary and the strong turnout we anticipated, our goal was to provide an event our community could be proud of, and the FMWR Fitness Center staff achieved exactly that … ensuring we properly honored those who sacrificed everything.”
Tests of Endurance: The Hero Climb and Stadium Tribute
Inside the Columbus Fitness Center, more than a dozen participants took on a grueling physical challenge during the daylong Hero Climb, logging a combined total of 1,157 floors climbed.
The event gave personnel the opportunity to climb anywhere from 10 flights to the full 110 stories – matching the historic height of the World Trade Center towers. Every step served as a tribute to the courage and ultimate sacrifice of the 343 firefighters and countless emergency personnel who charged up the smoke-filled stairwells to save others.
Beyond the installation gates, members of the DSCC workforce also engaged with the broader central Ohio community. Personnel from DSCC and Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support joined roughly 3,100 participants at Ohio Stadium for the Ohio State University ROTC’s annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Sept. 11.
The stadium climb welcomed first responders, military personnel, veterans, students and alumni of all fitness levels. Ascending the stadium aisles at their own pace, participants mirrored the climb of the fallen first responders, reflecting on the lives changed on September 11 and honoring all who answered the call without hesitation.
Enduring Legacy
A quarter-century later, the commemorative events across DSCC, DSCR, and partner communities reinforced that while decades pass, the legacy of service, sacrifice and shared purpose remains steadfast across the defense workforce.