Each year since 2015, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has held the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb NYC at One World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York City. One thousand participants climb 104 stories, symbolizing strength, hope and the resiliency of the American spirit.
The event celebrates the life and sacrifice of all 9/11 heroes, including FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and FDNY Captain Billy Burke.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller, a FDNY firefighter assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers. He suddenly got word over his scanner that an airplane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers. There, he gave up his life while saving others.
Captain William F. Burke, Jr. and his men were on the 27th floor of the North Tower when the South Tower collapsed. Billy immediately alerted the Captain of Ladder Co. 6 and the Officer of Ladder Co. 24, his original company, of the collapse. They, along with their men, immediately evacuated along with a number of civilians they were assisting, all surviving. Minutes later the North Tower collapsed and Billy perished along with the other innocents on September 11, 2001. He selflessly repeated, “keep going, I’m right behind you,” to keep his men moving to safety.
The view from One World Observatory at the top of One World Trade Center is nothing short of spectacular. After making the emotional climb, participants explore expansive, panoramic views in every direction from a unique perspective. One of the major highlights, of course, is viewing the two reflecting pools that mark the footprints of where the Twin Towers once stood.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission is to honor the sacrifice of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. By the end of 2020, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation anticipates spending an estimated $250 million to honor and support our military and first responders and their families. For more about the
Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit Tunnel2Towers.org.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, established in memory of a fallen 9/11 firefighter, opened registration on Wednesday for the Sixth Annual Tunnel to Towers Climb NYC at One World Observatory at One World Trade Center.
Since 2015, participants from around the globe have joined first responders and veterans, some catastrophically injured on prosthetic legs, to climb the 2,226 steps to the top of One World Observatory, a climb so many first responders didn’t get to complete on September 11, 2001.
Registration is limited to the first 1,000 individuals who apply.
The honorary starters for this year’s Tunnel to Towers Climb NYC will be Laura Seals, the widow of Jersey City, New Jersey Detective Joseph Seals, and Maryann Woods, the widow of Jersey City Firefighter James Woods.
Detective Joseph Seals was shot and killed in the line of duty on December 10, 2019. In addition to his wife, he left behind his five children.
Jersey City Firefighter James Woods died on December 26, 2014, after completing a 24-hour shift on Christmas morning. He left behind his wife Maryann and their three children.
To honor their service and sacrifice, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation paid off the mortgages on both families’ homes.
Money raised from this event will support the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Captain Billy Burke Jr. Foundation.
William “Billy” F. Burke, Jr. was the second oldest of six children of late Agnes and William Sr., the eldest of four boys and the only one to follow his father into the FDNY. His father, Deputy Chief William F. Burke, Sr., was a legend on the job -- always putting his men first. In 1989, just a few years after retiring, William F. Burke, Sr. passed away suddenly, after having served for 37 years on the job.
On September 11, 2001, before the second plane hit the Twin Towers, Billy, now in his twentieth year on the job and Captain of Engine Co. 21 on E. 40 St. in Manhattan, telephoned his family and friends to warn them of the attacks. He climbed into his rig and led his men down to the World Trade Center.
Billy and his men were on the 27th floor of the North Tower when the South Tower collapsed. Billy immediately alerted the Captain of Ladder Co. 6 and the Officer of Ladder Co. 24, his original company, of the collapse. They, along with their men, immediately evacuated along with a number of civilians they were assisting, all surviving.
Captain Burke ordered his men, who were a few floors below, out by radio. His men told Billy that they would wait for him. “Keep going,” Capt. Burke replied. “I’m right behind you with two civilians. Meet at the rig.” Reluctantly they went on, pausing repeatedly as they descended to radio back to their Captain. “Keep going,” he repeated each time. “I’m right behind you.”
All of his men, along with the civilians they helped out of the North Tower survived. Unknown to them the “two civilians” Billy was with were Ed Beyea and Abe Zelmanowitz, co-workers at Empire Blue Cross. Ed was a quadriplegic trapped in his mechanized wheelchair and Abe would not leave without his friend. As they descended, they telephoned their family and friends to let them know they were still alive. Billy called his friend, Jean Traina. “Stay safe,” she begged him. “This is my job,” he told her, “this is who I am.”
Minutes later the North Tower collapsed and Ed Beyea, Abe Zelmanowitz and Capt. William F. Burke, Jr., perished along with the other innocents on September 11, 2001.
Today, the rig of Engine Co. 21, is a permanent exhibit in the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York City.
Billy would be humbled and grateful to know that his memory could contribute to honoring first responders and assisting our nation’s most catastrophically injured service members.
So to all participants in the T2T Tower Climb Honoring Captain Billy Burke; as you climb stair after stair and your back is hurting and your knees aching, remember Billy’s words to his men on September 11, 2001:
“Keep going, I’m right behind you”
About the Captain William F. Burke Jr. Foundation: The Captain William F. Burke, Jr. Foundation honors the heroism of FDNY Captain Billy Burke Jr. who sacrificed his life on 9/11 to save others, and to support and honor the sacrifices of our military men and women devoted to protect our freedom."
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