The Reason This Firefighter Climbed a Gym Stair Machine on 9/11 Will Leave You in a Puddle of Mush
A Facebook photo of a fully suited firefighter using a gym stair climber on this year's anniversary of 9/11 is going viral. Lezlie Bauler, who works at Planet Fitness in Tennessee, posted the picture after the man asked if he could do so in honor of the firefighters who lost their lives as a result of the attacks.
"This man asked if it was okay for him to climb 110 sets, fully suited, of stairs in honor of his fallen brothers and sisters for 9-11," Bauler wrote. "Yes sir, you can. I am not one to get emotional, but a few tears were shed. Thank you for your services."
This man asked if it was okay for him to climb 110 sets, fully suited, of stairs in honor of his fallen brothers and...
Posted by Lezlie Bauler on Sunday, September 11, 2016
WGRZ, a local news station in Buffalo, NY, identified the firefighter as Jason Harding. He climbed the gym stairs because he was unable to attend Nashville's annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Harding released a statement, saying:
"When I went to the gym this morning at 6am before coming onto shift I was only wanting to honor the fallen heroes and their families on this day 15 years ago. I was not and am still not looking for any self-recognition. I have received so may private messages via Facebook from people expressing that support, gratitude and blessings. Many stated my act brought them to tears but little do they know, their support did the same for me. I want to thank everyone that shared and commented in response to this post. It it proof that although we seem divided as a country at times, we unite at the most crucial times."
Bauler's Facebook post has since received more than 144,000 shares and dozens of comments.