Kayla Simas
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Despite the cancelation of the annual Tunnel to Towers 5K run and walk due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some people still walked through Battery Tunnel on Sunday.
Frank Siller, brother of fallen firefighter, Stephen Siller, showed up to honor the memory of those who died on September 11, 2001.
“It’s different this year, obviously, we should have 30,000 plus people running through the tunnel, coming out here, looking at all the banners and the pictures when you come out,” said Siller at a press conference earlier today. “But it’s still just as important.
MTA and Port Authority personnel walked with the Siller family through the tunnel’s catwalk, to do so.
On the day of the Sept. 11 attacks, Stephen Siller was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1. Upon arrival at the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel, it was closed due to security reasons. Siller put on his gear and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he ultimately died.
The layout the Tunnel to Towers run follows retraces the footsteps Stephen Siller took to the World Trade Center.
The run and walk pay homage to all first responders and service members who made and continue to make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty.
In addition, the foundation has helped children who are orphaned or have lost one parent, by providing them with necessary funding needs. They have also helped provide residential homes to children, as well as veterans. The homes have been recognized as smart homes.
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