Tunnel to Towers: Honoring Heroes and Building a Legacy

On September 11, 2001, New York City firefighter Stephen Siller made the ultimate sacrifice. Siller donned his gear and ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the World Trade Center. As the towers collapsed, he gave his life to save those trapped during the attacks.

His legacy lives on through Tunnel to Towers, an organization founded by his family. Its mission is to assist veterans and first responders while honoring their bravery.

Continued Support for Heroes

Tunnel to Towers, inspired by Siller and his motivational quote, “While we have time, let us do good,” has provided over 1,700 families of fallen service members and first responders with mortgage-free homes. It also extends housing assistance and support to over 20,000 homeless veterans. Hundreds of events across the nation honor heroes and preserve the memory of those who sacrificed their lives.

Keeping the Memory Alive

Frank Siller, Stephen’s brother and CEO of Tunnel to Towers, has expressed concern about America potentially forgetting the impact of 9/11. With rising anti-American sentiments and online commentators questioning the significance of the attacks, there’s a real risk that the legacy of the fallen, including the 343 New York City Fire Department members, will fade.

Frank Siller is determined to prevent this, promising that “Tunnel to Towers will never let that happen.” The organization aims to ensure future generations recognize and honor the sacrifices made on that day.

Educational Efforts

The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute educates students from kindergarten to 12th grade. It highlights the heroism and goodness displayed on 9/11, emphasizing America’s strength and resilience. Its mobile exhibit has reached nearly all 50 states and Canada.

In 2021, Tunnel to Towers introduced “Steel Across America,” showcasing a 16,000-pound beam from the World Trade Center wreckage. This exhibit traveled over 10,500 miles, stopping at 35 locations across 21 states and Washington D.C., before arriving in New York City.

Honoring the 343: 25th Anniversary Initiatives

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Tunnel to Towers launched the 343 Homes Initiative. This initiative aims to provide 343 mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen service members, first responders, and catastrophically injured veterans nationwide.

This continues the organization’s “In the Line of Duty Programs,” which have already supplied more than 1,700 mortgage-free homes. Over 220 of these are custom “Smart Homes,” designed for accessibility for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

Frank Siller underscores the message behind Stephen’s life and his heroic sacrifice: “Stephen’s life and heroic death serve as a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and to spend our time here on earth doing good—this is his legacy.”