Climbing in Gear to Honor 9/11 Heroes | Victoria News

Victoria Texas News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 4, 2026 · 1m

For twelve years, retired firefighter Joel Gomez has scaled stairs in full gear—complete with air tanks—to honor the 9/11 first responders he couldn’t reach that day. Turned back from New York by his daughter’s plea, he wrestled survivor’s guilt for decades, especially in a brotherhood built on sacrifice. Now, each year at the San Antonio memorial climb, he honors a different fallen hero, carrying their names and legacy forward. What began as a personal ritual has grown into a national movement, even thriving virtually during the pandemic. Gomez, who retired after twenty-four years, remains…