Runners Honor Siller In '09 Tunnel To Towers Race
WCBS-TV 9/27/09
Despite
a fire that destroyed race materials
and wet weather, thousands of
runners turned out to trace the
heroic steps firefighter Stephen
Siller took on September 11 in the
8th annual Tunnel to Towers Run
Sunday.
Around 18,000 shirts meant for this
year's runners were burned, soaked
or partially damaged when a UPS
truck caught fire in the Travis
Section of Staten Island.
Registration forms, race bibs,
running chips, plaques and trophies
were also lost.
However, a hotel on Staten Island
volunteered to get the salvageable
shirts clean in time for the race.
"We had 18,000 shirts washed last
night, folded today and delivered so
everyone can have a shirt (Sunday)
at our run. That's America and New
York at its best," said Frank Siller,
brother of firefighter Stephen
Siller who died on September 11.
Friday night that spirit of giving
was stronger than ever at the annual
pre-race pasta appreciation dinner
at the world financial center's
Winter Garden.
History Of The Tunnel To Towers Run
The runners gather by the thousands
at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel for
what's become a New York tradition.
The "Tunnel to Towers Run" was
formed in tribute to Siller, a
Staten Island native and married
father of five, who on 9/11, made a
hero's decision. Wearing more than
70 pounds of bunker gear, he ran
through the tunnel to the burning
towers to help.
The 34-year-old never made it out
alive.
Siller was the youngest of seven
brothers and sisters who all take
part in organizing the 5k run.
It starts as Siller did, on the
Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn
Battery Tunnel.
"We're so proud of him, and the
thoughts are, 'Hey Steve, we're
doing what you did that day, of
course it's nothing compared to what
you've done, but we're honoring you
and your lost brothers and
sisters,'" said Frank Siller,
Stephen's brother. "And when you run
in that tunnel, you say, what was he
thinking about? what was going
through his mind? And when you start
thinking about it, you can't help
well up and get overcome with
emotion."
FDNY Chief of Department Sal Cassano
runs the 5k every year and is key to
the event's success. He's been there
every year and said it's an
overwhelming experience.
"You can't make it through the
tunnel without stopping, getting
choked up, getting emotional, and
knowing that what we're doing there,
knowing that we're recognizing
everybody that gave their lives that
day," said Cassano. "And it's not
only the first response. We're also
recognizing civilians that died that
day."
Runners come from all over the
world. Again this year, a ceremony
honoring firefighters, along with
the family festival, will be held
steps from Ground Zero. In all, the
Sillers expect over 25,000
participants.
Added Cassano: "It just shows
that eight years later, we haven't
forgotten, we'll never forget, and
that's so big for the families of
the members that were lost, to say
hey, we haven't forgotten and we'll
never forget."
They're proud that this Sunday there
will be several thousand military
personnel participating, including
some wounded warriors.
"When you see these guys come here
who have given so much, you know,
literally given their limbs for our
country so we can live in freedom,
you come and see them run and
they're thanking us, you know, for
putting this on. You wanna fall to
your knees and praise them and thank
them for what they've done for our
country," said Frank Siller.
More than $5 million has been raised
in the past eight years with
proceeds going to what Siller cared
deeply about, including less
fortunate children. Next month,
"Stephen's House of the New York
Foundling" opens, a residential
diagnostic center for trouble
children that stands for dignity and
respect.
"That's what the building was all
about. That's what Stephen's life
was about," said Bill Baccaligni.
"Those who've heard the story about
Stephen on that day and just what he
did in order to save others, we'd
like to think in some way, we do
that for the kids served here to
save them, to get them back to their
families or adoptive families.
That's what our goal is."
Stephen's House of the New York
Foundling will have room for 12 boys
and 12 girls ages 11 to 15 who will
stay there on average of three to
six months. The diagnostic center
opens officially on November 15,
what would have been Siller's 43rd
birthday.
The Run started at 9:30 a.m.
Tunnel To Towers Run Videos:
News:
Event:
Tunnel To
Towers Run '09
(Part I)
Tunnel To
Towers Run '09(Part
II)
Tunnel To
Towers Run '09
(Part III)
Tunnel To
Towers Run '09 (Part
IV)
Tunnel To
Towers Run '09
(Part V)
Interviews:
Tom Middleton
Craig Rodhes
Russell Siller
Jeff
Berardelli
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