Where to next? Explore your world. Discover yourself.

Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Run/Walk

By ginapacelli on December 4, 2018 in Community and Volunteering, New York Travel with 1 Comment

“The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified.” – Mayor Rudolph Giuliani

9/11 was a horrific day that will always haunt me. The flames. The deaths. The sorrow. The uncertainty. The vulnerability. The heroes.

Stephen Siller, a 34-year-old firefighter, was a 9/11 hero, who sacrificed his life to save others. Stephen finished his shift when he heard a plane crashed the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He drove to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, which was closed. He suited up with 60 pounds of gear and ran through the tunnel to the Twin Towers.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission is to “[honor] the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. [They] also honor our military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.”

When I was asked to join Team GMC for the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Run/Walk, I readily agreed. I looked forward to walking with my team and supporting a great cause. In the past, I donated, but I never participated. I knew my guys were extremely passionate about the event, the foundation, and the cause. I wanted to be part of the experience.

The morning of the race, we gathered to take the ferry from New York City to the IKEA parking lot. While we were hanging out waiting for the run/walk to start, the magnitude of what we were about to do hit me. I wondered how I would feel tracing the steps Stephen Siller took on 9/11. I wondered if I would feel claustrophobic navigating the tunnel with the ghosts of 9/11 thickening the air. I wondered if my legs would turn to jello as I walked from Brooklyn to Manhattan. I was in awe that this man had run through the tunnel in full gear and saved many lives before his was tragically taken.

When the run/walk started, my heart was heavy. I could not help but relive 9/11. The cries I heard at the 9/11 memorial museum cut through me like a thousand daggers. With every step I took, I remembered. I thought about all those who died. I thought about Stephen Siller and his legacy. I hoped we would cross the tunnel safely, as my mind drifted to the Boston Marathon bomber. I was stepping back in time, reliving a tragic event, while following the steps of a hero. I wondered what emotions bubbled up inside Stephen as he ran towards those towers.

I felt a sense of pride seeing so many American flags and people in uniforms running. To me, they symbolized hope. I loved how everyone came together to support the Foundation. I held back tears when they talked about how the Foundation helps surviving family members of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. I was happy the families would weather the financial burdens. At the same time, I was saddened by the reason they would receive the money. I was happy to be part of the solution, and I was proud of GMC for their national partnership with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and their Building for America’s Bravest program, #enlistme.

What did I experience? A kaleidoscope of raw emotion. I have walked for causes before. This one kicked me in my gut as I remembered. I am glad I participated in such an amazing event that supports such a worthy cause.