In honor of Stephen’s selfless sacrifice, his family established the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to support the families of fallen first responders and veterans. The annual 5K, which follows Siller’s path through the tunnel, has become a symbol of resilience, unity, and remembrance. The event raises funds for the foundation’s mission, which includes building mortgage-free homes for Gold Star Families and providing support to first responders injured in the line of duty.
This year’s 5K saw participants from all walks of life, families, Veterans, firefighters, police officers, and supporters from across the country that gather to honor the fallen. The race began in Red Hook, with participants either running or walking the 3.1-mile route. As they entered the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, many runners paused, reflecting on the sacrifice Stephen Siller made on that fateful day.
Emerging from the tunnel was an emotional moment for many. Lining the streets near the tunnel’s exit were 343 firefighters, each holding banners with the faces and names of the firefighters who died in the line of duty on 9/11. This tribute served as a somber reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by these brave men and women, as well as the enormity of the loss felt by their families and colleagues.
Participants were also greeted by police officers and military personnel, holding banners with the names of those lost in the War on Terror and from 9/11-related illnesses.
The visual representation of the sacrifice made not just on 9/11, but in the years that followed, was a powerful and emotional moment for those walking and running in the 5K.
As participants made their way through the streets of Lower Manhattan, the run concluded at the World Trade Center Memorial Plaza, home to the memorial fountains that mark the footprints of the original Twin Towers. Many participants took the time to walk around the fountains, where the names of nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks are inscribed. For some, this was an opportunity to find the names of loved ones, friends, and colleagues who were lost that day.
Participating in the Tunnel to Towers 5K was a deeply moving experience. The act of walking through the same tunnel Stephen Siller ran through twenty-three years ago allowed the runners to connect with his heroism on a personal level. Seeing the faces of the 343 firefighters who died that day and the other first responders and military personnel who have died since was overwhelming. It invokes the selflessness of those who put their lives on the line for others. I looked for a close friend of my cousin, who was one of the 343 and was able to shake the hand of the firefighter holding his banner. I was able to cheer on a family friend in the National Guard running as well. This foundation is near and dear to her heart.
The end of the race was marked by a moment of silence as participants gathered in front of the memorial fountains, paying their respects to those who never made it home. The sight of families standing together, some in tears, some placing flowers on the names of their loved ones, was a stark reminder of the enduring impact of the attacks on so many lives.
The Tunnel to Towers 5K is more than just a race. It is a powerful symbol of unity, remembrance, and hope. Every year, it brings together people from across the country to honor the lives lost on 9/11 and to ensure that their memory lives on. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of service and sacrifice.
For many, including myself, the event was not just about running or walking a few miles. It was about reflecting on the heroism of first responders, the tragedy of that day, and the resilience of a nation that came together in the face of unimaginable loss. The experience is something I will never forget. It’s a reminder of what it means to be part of a community and to stand together in remembrance.
As the day ended, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the foundation’s mission. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation continues to support the families of first responders and veterans, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.
The annual 5K, now a cherished tradition, will continue to serve as a reminder of Stephen Siller’s legacy and the countless others who gave their lives on 9/11 and in the years since.
We will never forget.
