MANITOU SPRINGS — The Manitou Incline was closed Tuesday morning as firefighters, military members and veterans gathered for the annual Firefighter Incline Climb — a solemn tribute to the heroes who lost their lives during the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Participants carried nearly 60 pounds of gear up the grueling climb, which gains 2,000 feet of elevation over more than 2,700 steps. Along the way, they placed American flags, each one representing one of the 343 firefighters who died in the line of duty on 9/11.

Manitou Springs Fire Captain Andrew Winchell said the event is a powerful way to remember those moments in history.

“We pause at key times when the plane hit the first tower and hit the second tower. Those other moments on that day, we pause. We take a moment of silence.

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