Photo By Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris | Twenty Soldiers from Fort Dix and approximately 50 Cadets from the United States...... read more read more
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One of 343.
A cryptic statement for most, but for those participating in the Second Annual Tunnel to Towers Run, its meaning is crystal clear.
Held Sept. 28, 2003, in lower Manhattan, the event honored New York City Firefighter Stephen Siller, who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center.
According to Frank Siller, Stephen’s brother and the organizer of the event, money raised by the event was given to the Stephen Siller “Let Us Do Good” Children’s Foundation.
The foundation in turn made a $50,000 contribution to The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, which benefits children of service members who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We hope to keep our commitment to the Freedom Alliance every year,” Frank explained. “That’s why we wanted a military presence here today.”
The military certainly made their presence known. Twenty Soldiers from Fort Dix and approximately 50 Cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point joined firefighters, police officers and civilians on a 5-kilometer run that took participants from Brooklyn, through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, and past Ground Zero.
The route followed the one taken by Stephen on that fateful Tuesday morning two years ago. Off-duty and trying to get to Manhattan to meet some friends, Stephen was stopped at the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and informed of what had just happened across the East River.
Although the tunnel was already closed to traffic, Stephen humped his hear to the other side of the river on foot. Once in Manhattan, he joined his fellow firefighters and entered the area now known as Ground Zero.
He was one of 343 firefighters who would not come out alive.
The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was closed this time to allow 343 U.S. Flag-wielding firefighters to line one lane of the tunnel, leaving the other lane free for runners.
“These guys should never be forgotten,” said Firefighter Robert McKeon, Engine 59. “It’s just one more way of remembering them. It’s the least I could do.”
The firefighters were joined by the West Point Cadets decked out in their dress uniforms with gray raincoats, bringing all their history and military bearing to the Big Apple.
Giving the Cadets a run for their money were a highly motivated contingent of Soldiers from Fort Dix, led by Col. German Velez, deputy commander of mobilization. Dressed in PTs, these Soldiers came to run – rain or shine.
And, of course, it rained.
But a little water couldn’t wash away the spirit and emotion of the day. After the run, performers entertained the crowd at the finish line. Country singer Eric Horner dedicated a song, “We Will Stand,” to all those affected by 9/11, including service members.
“As long as we’ve got our United States military forces standing between us and them, we will stand,” Horner told the cheering crowd.
After Horner finished, actor John Turturro read excerpts from Walt Whitman’s “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry.”
“Ah, what can ever be more stately and admirable to me than mast-hemm’d Manhattan?” read Turturro.
Few would argue the admirable performance of all those involved in this event, from organizers to runners to volunteer workers.
“This is like our payback for (Stephen) and all the other firemen who passed away on 9/11,” explained Chris Rommel, a second-year volunteer who helped run the event.
“It’s an amazing turnout,” noted Julie Destefano, another second-year volunteer who works for Staten Island Bank and Trust, an event contributor. “It just shows you how many people are affected by it.”
The mobilized Soldiers from Fort Dix were certainly affected by 9/11. Were it not for that tragic day two Septembers ago, these Soldiers would still be performing weekend drills.
Those from Fort Dix who volunteered for this run - spending their time and $30 – were, by all accounts, well-rewarded.
“It was really motivating when you saw the tunnel, went through the tunnel, and saw Ground Zero,” said Master Sgt. Jose Torres, Installation Support Battalion, who also noted how the tunnel echoed with the sounds of the Soldiers’ cadence calls.
Spc. Charles Gaglio, ISB, shared Torres’ enthusiasm.
“Cadence was called throughout the entire run,” according to Gaglio, who said that when one Soldier got tired, another would jump right in and lead the run formation. “I thought it was great – rain and all!”
Gaglio has it in perspective. After all, what’s a little rain compared to that endured by the 343?
(Editor’s note: A longer version of this story first appeared in a 2003 edition of the former Fort Dix newspaper, “The Post.”)
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.02.2025 11:11 |
| Story ID: | 547000 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
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