Tunnel to Towers Run/Walk set for Sept. 26

This Sunday, Sept. 26, starting at 9:30 a.m., participants from all over the country and the world will take part in the ninth annual Tunnel to Towers Walk/Run. The event retraces the path that firefighter Stephen Siller, a former Rockville Centre resident, took from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, when he lost his life trying to save others trapped inside the twin towers.

According to Rockville Centre resident Russ Siller, Stephen’s brother, roughly 15,000 people are expected to attend the 3.1-mile walk/run, and the money raised will go to burn victims, orphans, Katrina relief victims and other causes. Firefighters from London, Sweden and Ireland will fly overseas to take part in the event, and students, adults, law enforcers as well as other firefighters and police personnel from across New York state will also participate.

Members of South Side High School’s soccer team attend the event every year and along with many village residents, are expected to again.

Since its inception in 2002, the Tunnel to Towers run has raised approximately $7 million and helped create the Stephen’s House of the New York Foundling, which opened in Staten Island last year to provide a safe haven for abused and neglected children. The house is important to the Siller family: Stephen Siller was orphaned at age 10 and lived with Russ and his wife Jackie in Rockville Centre after his parents died.

“The whole event has taken off in a way that was unexpected,” said Russ. “Stephen would have been in awe that all of this would happen to anyone, let alone himself.”

Tunnel to Towers began as a way to honor Stephen and his fellow firefighters who died on Sept. 11, according to another brother, Frank. And through a large influx of volunteers and donations it has continued to evolve and serves as a reminder of the many heroes who lost their lives on that tragic day.

As in previous years, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani will serve as the chairman of the Tunnel to Towers run, and actor John Turturro will be the master of ceremonies.

For the first time, comedian and political commentator Dennis Miller will be in attendance to support the event, and a free concert featuring the musical duo Montgomery Gentry will follow the race.

“There’s a lot of money raised by this run along with a lot of support,” said Russ. “The event has greatly expanded and gone global to reach many people across the world.”

Recalling his late brother, Russ referred to Stephen as a great person who was truly humble, and the tale of his heroism on Sept. 11 depicts a courageous and selfless man. When he heard on his scanner that the World Trade Center had been attacked, Stephen immediately turned his fire truck around and headed toward the twin towers. Unable to drive through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Stephen decided to run on foot to the towers with his heavy fire gear strapped to his back.

The Tunnel to Towers race this Sunday will recall this remarkable journey by Stephen Siller, one of Rockville Centre’s true heroes.