American Hole 'n One's Blog

Over the weekend, several of our American Hole 'n One team members participated in the 2nd Annual GMC Tower Climb held at The Westin Peachtree Plaza. The Tunnel to Towers Climb is constructed to follow the footsteps of 9/11 hero and firefighter Stephen Siller. Stephen gave up his life on 9/11 to rescue others and this 72-flight climb serves as a reminder for us to never forget and always honor the sacrifices of our first responders and military heroes. This event takes place in various locations across the country throughout the year in support of the remembrance of Stephen Siller’s legacy.

Stephen’s Story

On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.

Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others.

Stephen had everything to live for; a great wife, five wonderful children, a devoted extended family, and friends. Stephen’s parents were lay Franciscans and he grew up under the guiding philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, whose encouraging and inspirational phrase “while we have time, let us do good” were words that Stephen lived by. 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.

Author and family friend Jay Price wrote: “Every momentous event, even a tragedy, has its symbolic figures. September 11th was no different; it just had a few more of them. Rudy Giuliani, Father Mychal Judge, the four guys on United Flight 9 … a hundred more … a thousand. None bigger than Stephen Siller, whose stature only grows with time as New Yorkers and people from around the world follow his footsteps.”

 For more information about the Stephen Siller Foundation, visit: https://tunnel2towers.org/