Thousands Take Part in Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk to Honor First Responders
Thousands of participants of all ages ran on Sunday to remember the first responders lost on 9/11. The event, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk, is a way to honor the sacrifices made by first responders both on and after September 11, 2001.
The Purpose of the Run
The event aims to remember the 23 years since the World Trade Center was attacked and ensure that the memory of fallen first responders, such as firefighter Stephen Siller, does not fade from public consciousness. Siller is a hero who, with 60 pounds of gear, ran through the closed Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he lost his life.
The Story of Stephen Siller
According to Frank Siller, brother of Stephen Siller and founder of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Stephen was waiting to play golf with his brother when he heard on his radio that the World Trade Center was hit. He went back to his firehouse, got his gear, and then ran through the tunnel to the Twin Towers. While saving others, he gave up his life.
A Generation-Lasting Impact
Since its inception, the run has shown significant growth, with over 40,000 expected participants in 2024. Frank Siller views this growth as a testament to the impact the run has on a new generation of participants who want to keep the memory of first responders like his brother and Stephen Siller alive.
Participating First Responders and Honorees
The event includes thousands of firefighters from across the country, many wearing their own helmets, coats, and boots as they retrace Stephen Siller’s footsteps. Top NYPD officials also participated, running despite the heavy rainfall to honor those who have lost their lives due to the 9/11 attacks.
Paying Tribute to Fallen Heroes and their Families
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation not only holds this annual event but also aims to give back to first responders by paying off mortgages for military veterans, NYPD officers, and FDNY firefighters. The foundation most recently paid off the mortgage of Officer Jonathan Diller’s Massapequa Park home.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk is more than just an event – it’s a way for first responders, families of those who were lost on 9/11, and the community to come together and remember the sacrifices made on that fateful day.
Q: What is the purpose of the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk?
A: The event aims to remember and honor the sacrifices made by first responders both on and after September 11, 2001, while also paying tribute to fallen heroes and their families.
Q: Who is Stephen Siller?
A: Stephen Siller is a firefighter who died in the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001. He is the inspiration for the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Q: What does the foundation do?
A: The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation not only organizes this annual event but also provides financial support to first responders and their families through programs such as paying off mortgages and providing emergency financial aid.
Q: Why is it important to participate in the event?
A: Participating in the event helps to ensure that the memory of Stephen Siller and other first responders who lost their lives on 9/11 does not fade from public consciousness. It’s an opportunity to honor their sacrifices and pay tribute to the ongoing struggles faced by families affected by the tragedy.
