Sep 29, 2008 8:56 am US/Eastern
Thousands Join In 2008 'Tunnel To Towers Run'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
This is the seventh year of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run. What started in 2002 with 2,500 runners has grown 10 fold. This grass roots organization has captured the attention not only of New York City but of the World, and runners came to New York Sunday from as far away as London, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller and 342 of FDNY brothers perished when the towers collapsed. Their deaths were not in vain as the Stephen Siller, FDNY Let Us Do Good Childrens Foundation was formed. It's been seven years and over $4 million have been raised with the focus on assisting children who have lost one or more of their parents. They also support the New York City Firefighters Burn Center.
"The extra money that we're able to get in and raise through so many people's contributions has helped us to spread Stephen's message to so many different areas. Stephen cared so much about people and especially about kids," said his brother, Frank Siller.
September 11 started as an idyllic day, with clear skies and a warm breeze. Stephen Siller had planned to play golf with his brothers. "It wasn't too often that the four of us could play together in our busy lives, so it was a day that we always cherished, when we were able to do that. And when the building went down, I turned to my mother and I said 'Nancy I think I just lost my brother'," Frank said.
Stephen had just finished work with the elite Squad 1 and was on his way to the first tee when he heard of the tragedy at the World Trade towers over his scanner. He turned his truck around and went back to his firehouse to get his gear and headed into Ground Zero as the rest of the world was frantically heading away form the site.
"He wanted to make sure that the day he was called upon, that he was going to do his duty. What it says to him as far as his character is concerned, is he's unshakable," Frank said.
"It takes a special person to be a firefighter. It takes a special person that willing to lay down his life for someone he doesn't know," said FDNY Chief Sal Cassano.
"I'm sure he was running and saying 'God, you know? I have children', but his job was to save people, and that overcame everything. He was one of the 343 that was able to do it," said Stephen's brother George Siller.
The concept of the Tunnel to Towers run was to follow in his footsteps. Stephen had to stop his truck in the tunnel and wasn't allowed to drive into the city. He strapped on his bunker gear on and ran through the tunnel. He was wearing 80 pounds of gear as he feverishly head towards the Twin Towers.
Many of the runners including a group of firefighters from London and members of the US Army race in full gear to mirror what Stephen did on that faithful day.
"We could not possibly let him go, so we knew we had to do something, as big as we could. But it took a friend of Stephen's to come up with the idea and he said 'Why don't you do what he did? Run through the Tunnel'," Russ Siller, Stephen's brother, said.
The race is in its seventh year and is quickly approaching the numbers that the New York marathon attracts for its yearly race. The race includes a cast of 2,500 volunteers as well as the thousands of generous runners who have raised over $4 million over the years.
Stephen leaves behind his wife Sally and five children as well as an inspirational life of heroism and courage for us all to aspire to. The Tunnel to Tower race is a testament to best of human sprit displayed by Stephen and the 342 other first responders who gave their life trying to save others.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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