On Friday, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by completing its “Steel Across America” tour. Foundation chairman and CEO Frank Siller, along with members of Stephen Siller’s family, walked the Brooklyn‑Battery Tunnel – the very route the fallen FDNY firefighter took on September 11, 2001.
Honoring a Heroic First Responder
Stephen Siller, a 34‑year‑old FDNY firefighter, had just finished an overnight shift when he heard the news of the attacks on his personal scanner. He turned his car around, headed toward Manhattan, and when the Brooklyn‑Battery Tunnel was closed to traffic, he strapped roughly 60 pounds of gear to his back and ran on foot toward the Twin Towers. Like many of his comrades that day, he never returned.
Stephen’s son, Stephen Siller Jr., who was nine months old when his father died, spoke on “Fox & Friends” about the foundation’s work, saying, “The Tunnel to Towers foundation has given my family so much… every day we have events across the country. Every day we’re helping somebody in his name. That is such a beautiful gift.”
Steel Across America Journey
The tour began four‑and‑a‑half months ago, transporting a 21‑foot, 16,900‑pound steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center. The beam traveled more than 10,500 miles, stopping in over 21 states, serving as a gathering point for communities to remember the tragedy, honor first responders and veterans, and educate a new generation about the significance of September 11.
According to the foundation’s press release, the beam’s presence has helped raise awareness of the need for mortgage‑free homes for Gold Star and fallen first‑responder families, as well as specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Children of the foundation’s home recipients receive full scholarships for undergraduate degrees and trade‑school programs, aiming to secure their futures.
Continuing the Mission
Frank Siller expressed his pride in completing the tunnel walk, saying, “I love you, brother,” and reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to eradicating veteran homelessness and ensuring America never forgets the events of September 11.
The final leg of the tour underscores the enduring impact of the 9/11 heroism and the ongoing work of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to support families, veterans, and first‑responder communities across the nation.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
