PAO C/PO3 Omaries Henry
What is Tunnel to Towers?
Tunnel to Towers is an event that happens every year in New York City to commemorate the people who died during the events of September 11, 2001. September 11th’s events took a toll on not only New York and its residents, but many around the country who were impacted by the terrorist attacks. The nonprofit organization, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, helps to honor those who died, but also strives to help people in the U.S. today. Tunnel to Towers helps first responders in various ways like getting home mortgages and ending the homeless Veteran epidemic in the U.S. The organization, as well, recognizes Stephen Gerard Siller, assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, who risked his life on September 11th to save others in the attacks on the World Trade Center.
This event, Tunnel to Towers, brings so many people together in their annual run through the streets of New York, to both honor people and raise money and awareness. This year, Benjamin N. Cardozo’s NJROTC Cadets and marching band were invited to join on September 24, 2023.
The Routine
Cadets started to arrive at the front of Cardozo High School at 5:00 a.m. Then, they started mustering at 5:30 a.m. and left for Manhattan around 5:50 a.m. Everyone arrived at the event around 6:30 a.m. and then started to get their banners, snacks, and water. The cadets then headed to the next location, which was where they would be for the next three hours cheering and holding banners with honor and commitment.
This event was led by SNSI Major Moore, NSI Chief Chen, C/LT CMDR Taega Mushette, C /LT Oliver Cordero, C/SCPO Ziming Yang, and many more. The cadets held up to the Navy’s moral values of honor, courage, and commitment.
The 5K Walk/Run
The 5K walk/run was through the streets of New York City and it consisted of so many different people. From civilians looking for banners of their loved ones, to ROTC, and even enlisted personnel running and walking through the streets to honor all of the people lost. Many people stopped to look through the banners to see who was there and what branch they were from, and many stopped to look for family and friends to regain memories.
The event, though full of sorrow, also was filled with happiness because so many people came out to run in memory of those who were heroes on September 11th. Roughly 3,500 people finished the Tunnel to Towers race. The cadets who attended this event held many banners of those who had fallen and held them with pride. The enthusiasm and pride of the cadets was amazing, as they cheered on those who ran and fully committed. Cadets had the courage and commitment to to stand and cheer in the heavy rain, as there was a tropical storm that hit New York City on the day of the event. Even though it rained heavily, the cadets just kept up and fought through the storm.