World Trade Center stair climb to honor Parkland heroes

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation had special guests to help announce this year's stair climb: family members of the late Christopher Hixon and Aaron Feis, hailed as heroes of the Parkland school shooting.

Hixon was the athletic director at Stoneman Douglas High School. Authorities say he acted as a human shield while the gunman was firing and even tried to wrestle the rifle away from him. Joined by her younger son, Cory, Debbie Hixon spoke of her husband's bravery. She said he had a chance to get away but instead he tried to disarm the gunman and lost his life.

Feis was the school's head football coach. He heard shots and helped bring students to safety before running toward gunfire. His grandparents, who live on Long Island, say that didn't surprise them at all.

This year will be the fourth annual stair climb at One World Trade Center. The event honors the sacrifice of FDNY Captain Billy Burke and his heroism on 9/11. The foundation was created in memory of Firefighter Stephen Siller, who ran through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center, where he died on 9/11.

Debbie Hixon will be an official starter of this year's climb along with the widow of Aaron Feis.