Tunnel to Towers: Honoring 9/11 Heroes Through Service and Education

On one of America’s darkest days, New York City firefighter Stephen Siller took heroic action. He donned his gear and raced through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, heading towards the collapsing Twin Towers. His selfless act during the September 11, 2001 attacks cost him his life, as he worked to save those in peril.

Siller’s family founded Tunnel to Towers to carry forward his legacy of service and sacrifice. This organization remains dedicated to supporting veterans, first responders, and their families across the United States. Inspired by Siller’s favorite quote, ‘While we have time, let us do good,’ Tunnel to Towers has provided more than 1,700 mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen service members and first responders, as well as to disabled veterans and first responders. Additionally, it has assisted over 20,000 homeless veterans with housing and support services. The foundation organizes numerous events nationwide to honor America’s heroes and ensure their stories continue to be told.

“America is very close to forgetting the impact 9/11 had on our nation.” — Frank Siller

Frank Siller, CEO and brother of the fallen firefighter, cautioned in 2020 that the traumatic events of 9/11 were becoming less prominent in public memory. Rising anti-American sentiment and online commentary trivializing or rationalizing the attacks underscore the need to remember the sacrifice of 343 FDNY members who died on that fateful day.

Siller assured the public that Tunnel to Towers would uphold the memory of these heroes. To reinforce this commitment, the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade about the exceptional heroism displayed on September 11 and America’s enduring resilience. A traveling 9/11 exhibit has visited nearly all 50 states, as well as Canada, showcasing the courage seen on that day.

In alignment with its educational efforts, Tunnel to Towers unveiled its ‘Steel Across America’ exhibit. This display features a 16,000-pound steel beam extracted from the World Trade Center wreckage. The beam journeyed over 10,500 miles through 35 stops across 21 states and the District of Columbia, culminating in New York City.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Tunnel to Towers launched the 343 Homes Initiative. This initiative honors the 343 FDNY firefighters who perished on 9/11 by delivering 343 mortgage-free homes to families of fallen service members, first responders, and catastrophically injured service members nationwide. Building upon Tunnel to Towers’ ‘In the Line of Duty Programs,’ the foundation has already provided over 1,700 mortgage-free homes, including more than 220 custom ‘Smart Homes’ designed for accessibility.

“Stephen’s life and heroic death remind us to live life to the fullest and to spend our time doing good—this is his legacy.” — Frank Siller

Peter Pinedo, a politics writer for Fox News Digital, reported on these efforts, emphasizing the enduring legacy of Stephen Siller’s bravery and dedication to service.