DeKALB – NIU’s ROTC program commemorated 9/11 at Huskie Stadium Thursday.

The ROTC program climbed 220 flights of stairs, equivalent to the height of both towers, to honor the victims of the terrorist attack and recognize America’s resilience following 9/11.

The event was attended by 70 ROTC members, as well as officers from the DeKalb Police Department and the NIU Police Department, with the goal to pay tribute to the tragedy on September 11, 2001, and foster unity.

“It’s very important to us, because it’s important that we recognize the lives that were lost that day,” ROTC member Jaiden Mitchell said. “We accomplished that today as a battalion. I’m really proud of everyone that came.”

This was the first year the ROTC program invited the NIU Police Department, who they hope will partake in this commemoration in the future.

“We did not open it up to students this year, this was the first year that we did open it up to NIU PD,” Mitchell said. “We are trying to get more of the community involved. So that way, people can pay tribute to the tragedy.”

It has been 24 years since the deadly attacks, and the ROTC program focuses on working together to continue to commemorate this day moving forward.

“The more you work hard with each other, and the more you go through the pain with each other, it makes you stronger,” Mitchell said. “I think that’s what America went through in the aftermath of 9/11.”

The ROTC program plans to open the event to the community in the future, and are hopeful more NIU students will get involved.