It’s been 24 years since the tragic events of 9/11, and having lived through it, I was deeply moved by the incredible courage of those first-on-the-scene firefighters who didn’t hesitate to climb the stairs that others were fleeing in panic. It gives me pause to realize that people like this exist in our world — people like Stephen Siller, who died on September 11, 2001, answering the call.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation keeps his legacy alive by providing mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen first responders and military personnel, as well as building smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
This year, my wife Kim-Ly, my daughter Emily, my son Daniel, and I will be running in the 5K through Battery Park Tunnel to the Twin Towers site. I became a volunteer firefighter later in life with the Plandome Fire Department, and I’ll be running (well, mostly walking) in my firefighting gear. It’s a small gesture compared to the sacrifices they honor, but every step is fueled by gratitude.
