Yesterday in New York City, members of the Corps of Cadets, staff and faculty and candidates from the U.S. Military Academy prep school volunteered in the annual Tunnel to Towers 5K, a race that commemorates New York firefighter Stephen Siller's heroic run from Brooklyn to the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn's Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear. Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others, "while we have time, let us do good" were words that Stephen lived by.
More than 30,000 New Yorkers and participants from across the country joined in the race. Following, USMA participants took a moment at the 9/11 Memorial plaza to reflect on their own commitment to duty and selfless service.