Tunnel to Towers Honoring 9/11 Heroes with Return of Steel Beam to Ground Zero

Tunnel to Towers CEO Frank Siller and his nephew Stephen Siller Jr. brought a World Trade Center steel beam back to Ground Zero, honoring the heroes of September 11. They retraced firefighter Stephen Siller’s final journey through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.

Frank Siller and family members paid tribute to his late brother, Stephen Siller, a 34-year-old firefighter, husband, and father. On September 11, 2001, Stephen ran through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, carrying heavy gear, heading to the Twin Towers, and ultimately sacrificed his life during the rescue efforts. The family retraced his path as part of the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Together, they carried Stephen’s memory, his legacy, and the promise that his sacrifice – like so many others – would never be forgotten.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation transported a 21-foot steel beam from the Twin Towers on a tour across the U.S., culminating with the Siller family’s tunnel trek. Over 10,500 miles and nearly 40 stops in more than 21 states, the beam served as a gathering place for communities to remember 9/11, honor first responders and veterans, and educate new generations about the event’s significance.

Stephen Siller Jr., who was nine months old when his father died, shared on ‘Fox & Friends’ that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has supported his family deeply. Every day, they host events honoring his father and helping people in his name.

Stephen Siller, after completing an overnight shift with the New York City Fire Department, had plans to play golf with his brothers. Upon hearing of the attacks on his personal scanner, he turned towards Manhattan. The closed tunnel forced him to carry 60 pounds of firefighting gear on foot toward the Twin Towers.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation began to honor Stephen Siller. It provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, builds smart homes for injured veterans and first responders, and provides full scholarships for children of the foundation’s home recipients. Their mission aims to eradicate veteran homelessness and ensure America never forgets September 11, 2001.