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September 27, 2020
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MTA Officials Join Family of Stephen Siller and Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Remembrance Walk Through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel |
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Walk Retraces Hero Firefighter Stephen Siller’s Footsteps and Honors Those who Died on 9/11
MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Daniel DeCrescenzo and Acting Vice President and Chief of Operations Richard Hildebrand, along with other MTA officials, joined the family of Stephen Siller and members of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation on a remembrance walk through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, commemorating the FDNY firefighter’s run through the tunnel to the World Trade Center on 9/11.
The event symbolizes Stephen Siller’s final footsteps from the foot of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to the Twin Towers Site, and pays homage to the 343 FDNY firefighters, 63 law enforcement officers, and thousands of civilians who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Since the event was first held in 2002, more than 500,000 people have participated in the annual run. After the usual large-scale annual run was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Siller family decided instead to hold a small remembrance walk with close family members instead, and MTA Bridges & Tunnels – legal name Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) – worked with the family to facilitate.
"It's critical that first responders and families of those who lost their lives know that we will never forget the sacrifices they and their loved ones made,” said Daniel DeCrescenzo, President of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, who has facilitated many Tunnel to Towers runs in person including the first one in 2002. “It's especially important that during this pandemic, when large events are being cancelled, we are able to keep the tradition going by safely remembering those who gave their lives to try to save others that faithful day."
"I would like to thank TBTA and the MTA for helping me continue the tradition of retracing my brother’s footsteps through the tunnel to the spot where the towers once stood,” said Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and brother to Stephen Siller. “It is bittersweet knowing that so many look forward to the Tunnel to Towers 5k that would have taken place today. Still I am honored that we were able to find a way to keep this tradition alive for a 19th straight year. The Tunnel to Towers run is the cornerstone of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and we will be back next year to honor my brother and all of the brave first responders who lost their lives that day."
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation also launched the “Never Forget Virtual Challenge” to encourage participants to honor the fallen in their own way. Learn more about the foundation here.
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