Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers @hope4warriors @tunnel2towers

GOOD MORNING!  IT WAS RACE DAY!!!  

(I did NOT take my nice camera, so I apologize in advance for the poor quality pictures)

Here's a little bit about Stephen Siller (from his website) and the amazing run that we participated in:

"On September 11th, firefighter Stephen Siller had just gotten off the late shift at Squad 1, Park Slope, Brooklyn.  He was on his way to play golf with his brothers on that bright clear day when his scanner told of the first plane hitting the Twin Towers.  When he heard the news, he called his wife Sally to tell her he would be late because he had to help those in need.  He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear, then took his final heroic steps to the World Trade Center.  When Stephen drove his truck  to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, it was already closed to traffic .  With sixty pounds of gear strapped to his back, he ran through the Tunnel, hoping  to meet up with his own company, Squad 1."  

Click here to read more.

We met up with the rest of the Team Hope for Warriors folks and got our shirts on (we looked so official).  

This is Stephen Siller's brother.  He came by and got to talk to us for a bit before we left the hotel.  

When we left the hotel, we went to the 'Friends of Firefighters' breakfast.  It was an old firehouse that had been renovated and is used for 'Friends of Firefighters' events.

The next few pictures are at the starting line...

Here's Will with one of our favorite FDNY, Paddy!  Still waiting to start the race...

Rudy Giuliani stopped by and met some of the Hope for Warriors team members.

Ok, I thought that I could get a picture of the tunnel while I was running.  I was wrong.  Trust me though, this is the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.

At one point we noticed that she was running alone in a bunker jacket, if you look closely, the name at the bottom is Siller.  This is Stephen's wife.  What an amazing and strong woman!  She did the whole 5k in that jacket... THAT'S IMPRESSIVE!  THAT THING IS HOT (remember what I told you Thursday, right?!)

Here's Will and Dan representing Team Hope for Warriors... running to the finish line!  Way to go guys!!

The first year that they held the race, there were 2000 participants... that's pretty impressive.  This year, there were over 30,000!!!!  Truly amazing to see all of the people supporting such a GREAT cause.

If you look closely, the streets are lined with firefighters in their dress uniform holding banners representing the brave men that were lost on 9/11.  The other side of the street had folks holding flags.  I really cannot put into words how amazing it was (I think my 'amazing' word count is up to what, 4 or 5 in this post alone?!  I think you get the drift.).  People were so supportive and encouraging.  They cheered SO LOUDLY as people ran by.