The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was established to honor the heroic actions of firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller. Founded by Siller’s family, the organization pays tribute to his sacrifice as he endured through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to reach the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.

The Foundation has become a huge resource for families who lost loved ones in the tragic events of 9/11, raising over $500 million in support of the nation’s heroes and their families. To date, the Foundation has delivered or is in the process of producing more than 1,200 mortgage-free homes.

Over 500,000 participants have taken part in the annual 5K race held in memory of those who lost their lives on that fateful day. The impact of September 11th extended beyond New York, resonating throughout the country as many lives were altered by the terrorist attacks.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation not only honors those who died but also actively seeks to assist individuals across the United States today. The organization aids first responders in various ways, including facilitating home mortgages and addressing the issue of homelessness among veterans.

This year, several cadets from our NJROTC unit participated in the 5K, and we are very proud of their efforts.

Cadets c/LT Sofia Aristizabal, c/LTCDR Oliver Cordero, c/LTJG Omaries Henry, c/SA Georgia Katsanos, c/SN Morgan Chu, c/SN Xinglong Chen, and c/SA Ivy Ouyang each completed the race in about 40 minutes.

Their participation was driven by a purpose—to honor the fallen heroes and embrace the core values of JROTC.

Other NJROTC units, such as Passaic, also participated with their instructors, exemplifying the widespread reverence for the event. Firefighters from the UK even travel to New York to participate, underscoring the global significance of this memorial initiative.

On the day of the event, cadets gathered at Cardozo High School as early as 5:00 a.m., mustering at 5:30 a.m. and departing for Manhattan by 5:50 a.m. They arrived at the event location around 6:30 a.m., where they collected banners, snacks, and water. For the next three hours, the cadets passionately cheered and displayed their banners, demonstrating unwavering honor and commitment.