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Who was Stephen Siller?
Stephen Siller was a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who died on September 11, 2001, while trying to rescue people trapped in the World Trade Center. He was 34 years old and a father of five children. He was also the youngest of seven siblings who had lost both parents by the time he was 10 years old.
Stephen 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. He joined the FDNY in 1991 and was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, a specialized unit that performed rescue operations in hazardous situations.
What did Stephen Siller do on 9/11?
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Stephen had just finished his night shift at Squad 1 and was on his way to play golf with his brothers in New Jersey. He heard on his scanner that a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center and decided to turn back and help.
He drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it was closed for security reasons. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 pounds of gear to his back and ran almost two miles through the tunnel to the Twin Towers. He reached the site and joined his fellow firefighters in the rescue efforts. He was last seen alive on West Street, near the South Tower.
How did Stephen Siller die?
Stephen Siller died when the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m., less than an hour after he arrived at the scene. He was one of the 343 FDNY members who lost their lives that day, along with thousands of other victims. His body was recovered on March 19, 2002, from the debris pile at Ground Zero.
Stephen’s death left behind his wife Sally and their five children, who were between the ages of 10 months and 10 years at the time. He also left behind his six siblings, who had raised him after their parents’ deaths. They described him as a loving, generous, and courageous person who always wanted to help others.
How is Stephen Siller remembered?
Stephen Siller’s legacy lives on through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which was founded by his family in December 2001 to honor his memory and the memory of all those who perished on 9/11. The foundation’s mission is to support first responders, military service members, and their families who have been injured or killed in the line of duty or due to 9/11-related illnesses.
The foundation’s main programs include providing mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, and families with young children that lost a parent in the line of duty or to 9/11 illness. The foundation has raised over $250 million and has delivered over 450 homes across the country since its inception.
The foundation also hosts annual events such as the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk, which retraces Stephen’s footsteps from the tunnel to Ground Zero. The event attracts tens of thousands of participants from around the world every year and raises awareness and funds for the foundation’s causes.
In addition, the foundation organizes other events such as the Never Forget Walk: Following the Footsteps of the Fallen, which is a 537-mile journey from Washington D.C. to New York City that Frank Siller, Stephen’s brother and CEO of the foundation, completed in August-September 2021 to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The foundation also sponsors concerts, galas, golf outings, stair climbs, and other activities that celebrate and honor the heroes of 9/11 and beyond.
Conclusion
Stephen Siller cause of death was a tragic result of his heroic actions on 9/11. He gave up his life while trying to save others from the burning towers. He exemplified the spirit of service and sacrifice that defines the FDNY and all first responders. His story inspires millions of people to do good while they have time and to never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and fellow citizens.
