The Annual 2024 Greenville 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb took place at Fluor Field on Sept. 7, 2024. The event honors the FDNY firefighters and first responders and others who selflessly gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Here, a firefighter walks the stairs as the bells are sounded to mark the day America was attacked. ALEX HICKS JR./STAFF / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Commanders honor local heroes with meaningful tribute

Originally posted on Washington Commanders on SI
By Caleb Skinner | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 1:00 PM ET

Things are heating up around the DMV area, and it's not just the heat. The Washington Commanders have had a busy offseason, having gone through free agency, the NFL Draft, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp.

The Commanders are now in the dead period of football before training camp begins in mid-July. There have been several topics discussed thus far, and that continues as fans patiently await to see if the franchise and star wide receiver Terry McLaurin can come to a long-term extension as he held out of mandatory minicamp.

Football is on everyone's minds as we approach one of the most exciting times of the year, but some instances occur where things are bigger than the game.

Earlier this year, there was a tragic accident that took the lives of many near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and the Commanders organization is doing right by those who were first on the scene at the tragedy. Team president Mark Clouse, along with a slew of Commanders legends, visited Engine Company 18 to surprise some of the first responders and their families with tickets to the team's opening game of the 2025 season.

Engine Company 18, the first responders to January’s tragic plane crash near DCA, were surprised with tickets to our home opener by team president Mark Clouse and Washington Legends

We're deeply grateful for their ongoing dedication to keeping our community safe pic.twitter.com/DSl0BeyzSy
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 30, 2025

The event was horrific as an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air over the Potomac River; all 67 passengers on both aircraft sadly perished.

Events such as this make us cherish the little things in life, and the first responders on the scene go out of their way, putting themselves in harm's way. The Commanders are a class act in recognizing the brave souls that go into dangerous situations such as these to help save and protect.

The first responders and their families will attend the Commanders' opening game against the New York Giants to kick off the 2025 season on September 7th.