On 7 June along with 1000 others, I am going to climb the One World Trade Center again to raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Each year since 2015, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has held the Tower Climb NYC at One World Trade Center in New York City. One thousand participants climb 104 stories, symbolizing strength, hope and the resiliency of the American spirit, but also visibly demonstrating how we work to leave no one behind.
The event is also a celebration of the life and sacrifice of all 9/11 heroes, including FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and FDNY Captain Billy Burke.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller, a FDNY firefighter assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers. He suddenly got word over his scanner that an airplane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers. There, he gave up his life while saving others.
Captain William F. Burke, Jr. and his men were on the 27th floor of the North Tower when the South Tower collapsed. Billy immediately alerted the Captain of Ladder Co. 6 and the Officer of Ladder Co. 24, his original company, of the collapse. They, along with their men, immediately evacuated along with a number of civilians they were assisting, all surviving. Minutes later the North Tower collapsed and Billy perished along with the other innocents on September 11, 2001. He selflessly repeated, “keep going, I’m right behind you,” to keep his men moving to safety.
The view from One World Observatory at the top of One World Trade Center is nothing short of spectacular. After making the emotional climb, I will have a panoramic view of a resilient city in every direction, highlighted by the two reflecting pools that mark the footprints of where the Twin Towers once stood.
Although 25 years has passed since 9/11, the need to support those to work to keep us safe and fight to keep us free has not gone away. Please support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or others like them to provide support for our heroes! As a veteran, I can think of no better cause.
