A woman’s photo showing a fully geared firefighter using a stair machine at a local gym has recently gone viral on Facebook. The photo was shared by Lezlie Bauler, an employee of a Planet Fitness gym in Maryville, Tennessee. Read her post below.
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. Yes sir, you can. I am not one to get emotional, but a few tears were shed. Thank you for your services.
The firefighter was later identified as 33-year-old as 33-year-old Jason Harding. He released the following statement after the photo went viral:
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. As a Public Safety Officer and McGhee Tyson airport officer, I am honored to be a Firefighter, a Police Officer and a Paramedic. I have been in emergency services for the most of my career after college and wouldn’t change that for anything. There are memorial stair climbs all across the country today honoring just as I did. I have participated in Nashville’s Memorial Stair Climb for the past 4 years. Unable to make it this year I decided to honor anyway.
We’ll never forget 9/11 and those who lost their lives in the tragedy. And we’re thankful for those like Jason Harding who go above and beyond to honor the first responders who put their lives at risk for others. Agree? Pass this on.
