As a child, Zijian Tang understood the tragedy of 9/11 when it happened. But it wasn't until he reached adulthood standing in formation at an Army boot camp in South Carolina that he began to truly grasp the gravity of that terrible day.
"Three of my four drill instructors actually joined the army after the 9/11 attack," said Zijian, an Army veteran and Associate for U.S. Market Risk at TD Securities in New York City. "They shared their memories and stories with us about the deaths, destruction and sacrifices. They also shared stories of the heroism on that day."
The impact on Zijian inspired him to take part in the Team Red White and Blue's (RWB) 9/11 Stair Climb in New York City, presented by TD Bank, for the first time last year. He plans to attend the event again this year where participants climb 2,200 stairs—the same number that the brave first responders climbed on their way up the 110-story World Trade Center to rescue those trapped in the towers.
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Team RWB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of America’s veterans through physical activity, social connection, and community service. Since 2011, Team RWB has hosted a nationwide 9/11 Stair Climb to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the attack and to commemorate the courage of the first responders who raced into the towers.
These climbs take place at stadiums, office buildings, and other tall structures across the country, and can also be completed virtually through the Team RWB app. The stair climbs are part of Team RWB’s Monthly Mission series, encouraging members to engage in meaningful, physical challenges throughout the year. The 2025 9/11 Stair Climb will take place from September 6-14. These events are supported by local chapters and community leaders. A group of TD colleagues in New York City and throughout the bank's footprint have participated in this event for many years.
This event serves not only as a workout but as a powerful act of remembrance, unity, and patriotism, according to Mike Erwin who founded RWB in 2010 and serves as the organization's executive director. Mike is a 2002 graduate of The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was commissioned as an officer and went on to serve three combat tours with the First Cavalry Division and 3rd Special Forces Group. Mike continues to serve the nation as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, assigned to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he is an Assistant Professor.
Learn more about Team RWB's 9/11 Stair Climb in the video below.
Memories and Commemoration
Mike was attending West Point, which is about 45 miles north of New York City, on the day the attacks occurred. His brother called him to tell him what was happening that morning, which shocked Mike, as it did so many others.
"It's been 24 years. With each year that passes, we feel more intensity about doing this to keep the bravery alive that we saw on American soil that day and the memories of those that were lost," Mike said. "We also are on a mission to continue educating young folks. I've got five kids aged 5 to 15, and I want them to be educated about that day. It's really important to me personally."
During the stair climb, Mike thinks about the memories of that day, and also finds a sense of community with his fellow veterans and allies of veterans who join him in the walk. Zijjan said the stair climb participants had many emotions during the two-hour event.
"It was more somber than a typical sporting event, but it had a good energy," Zijjan said. "People were excited to come together. There were opening remarks that really dug into the significance of the moment and what the stair climb stood for. But they also use it as a moment to celebrate community and how we can continue coming together to remember these moments, to serve both our country and our communities. The real purpose is to build a sense of cohesion and to raise the community awareness. I look forward to participating in this year's event again to serve as a reminder of what 9/11 means to our country."
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