[Press Release] : MEDIA ADVISORY: Eleventh Anniversary of 9 / 11 Marked by Run / Walk

Mon Sep 17 09:44:19 CDT 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: For Tunnel to Towers Run, Columbia MO contact
Fire Fighter Jim Pasley
t2tcolumbia at gmail.com
(573)219-6128

For Tunnel to Towers Run contact: 
Liz Feldman/Harry Hammel 
lfeldman at hillmanpr.com / hhammel at hillmanpr.com 
(732) 387-0515/ (410) 616-8945 
(443) 683-0917/ (443) 880-8877 

Eleventh Anniversary of 9 / 11 Marked by Run / Walk 

COLUMBIA, MO (September 17, 2012) - 
Eleventh Anniversary of 9/11 to be Marked By Tunnel to Towers
Run/Walk in Columbia, Missouri 

Event to honor fallen firefighters, first responders and millions
of active military spreads to international locations 

Columbia, Missouri - November 11th, 2012 - Columbia, MO will be the
site of the next Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run on 11/11/12 at Stephen's Lake Park. Packet pick up to begin at 7:00 a.m. followed by the race start at 9:00 a.m. A race that will take place in close to 70 cities around the world, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run celebrates its 11th anniversary this September.

Since 2002, the New York City Tunnel to Towers Run has been held annually to honor the 343
firefighters and first responders who lost their lives on 9/11 and recreates the final footsteps of firefighter Stephen Siller who was last seen running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel with sixty pounds of gear strapped to his back en route to the World Trade Center after the attacks. The event, which was originally intended as a way for New Yorkers to honor the fallen heroes, has
now become a yearly tribute to everyone who lost their lives that day and transcends the tragedy. Last year, more than 30,000 people attended and took part in the NY event. The New York City Tunnel to Towers Run has become a springboard, and the event's popularity has launched similar events and runs around the world, honoring those who lost their lives that day. Now, close to 70
communities, including Columbia, MO, have signed up to hold Tunnel to Towers runs, and the Foundation is working toward a goal of runs in 343 different cities across the nation.

"The New York city event began as a way to honor Stephen and his firefighter brothers," said Frank
Siller, one of Stephen's siblings and the chairman of the Foundation. "Over the years, through an influx of volunteers, donations and interest, it has continued to grow and evolve nationwide and worldwide. It is now, without question, an annual event celebrated across the globe that not only celebrates the lives of everyone who was lost that day, but provides a forum for remembrance of the past and a life-affirming event for the future. We are grateful to have the opportunity to include the entire United States, and even countries around the world, in this moving and meaningful event."

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is also proud to announce the unveiling of a newly-launched Tunnel to Towers Runs Across America registration and fundraising site. For the first time in the organization's history, the new site will allow event participants of Columbia, MO to:

*Create profile pages which include personal stories, applicable photography and allowing for them todedicate their page to personal hero.

*Compete on a favorite team, represent a community or state, or select a favorite service group.

*Earn Tunnel to Towers-themed virtual badges and recruit friends to join their team to help raise fund for American heroes, in need of help.

*Raise funds and earn prizes such as official Tunnel to Towers hats, t-shirts and experiences.

For more information on race locations, registration or fundraising for the Columbia, Missouri
Tunnel to Towers Run, please visit www.T2Trun.org.

About Stephen Siller 

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Stephen was off-duty, having just finished an overnight shift, and was headed back to Staten Island to go home to his wife and five children and then to meet his older brothers for a round of golf. After that, it was anyone's guess how Stephen would spend his day: there would definitely be playtime with his five children, time spent with his wife, work done around the house - perhaps he'd invite some of his neighbors over for a barbecue - all of which were typical activities for Stephen.

Instead, he picked up the news on his scanner about the attack on the World Trade Center. He
immediately returned to his firehouse, retrieved his gear, and headed towards the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. When he found that traffic was blocked to enter the tunnel, he strapped his heavy gear to his back, and sprinted along the catwalk towards Manhattan. At the end of the tunnel, Stephen was picked up by a fire crew, and transported to West Street and Liberty, near Ground Zero. His family believes that he attempted to meet up with Squad Co. 1 and raced into the Towers to do what he did best: save lives and comfort survivors. Neither Stephen nor any of his Squad Co.1 mates survived.

Stephen still lives in the hearts of the Siller family, and in all the lives he touched. His is a
legacy of bravery, compassion, and good will that the Siller family wants to see live on. "We kept asking ourselves how we could properly memorialize him," said Russell, Stephen's oldest brother. "We thought about a special dinner or a golf outing," continued Russell. "Then a friend of Stephen's suggested we hold a run through the Battery Tunnel in his honor, and in memory of all those
heroes who displayed such bravery on September 11. Because this idea was a reflection of Stephen's spirit, we knew right away that it was perfect. All the pieces began to fall into place, and we realized what could be a more fitting than a run following his footsteps through the tunnel, the very spot where Stephen embarked on his heroic journey."

The Siller family, including Stephen's wife, Sally, her children, his six siblings and numerous relatives, close friends, and volunteers have dedicated their hearts and souls to the run. "We've been moved by the kindness of friends and by those who have chosen to become part of his story," said Russell. "So many people are helping us along the way, offering us untold amounts of emotional and financial support as we prepare for our tenth annual run."

Visit www.TunneltoTowersRun.org for more information.

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