Gulf Coast residents run to remember 9/11 victims

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation held their annual 5K Run and Climb Saturday to honor those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks.

September 11th, 2001 is a day some of us will never forget. Today, people use events such as the Tunnel to Towers Run and Climb to honor those who died that day. Gulf Park Estate Fire Department Lt. Branden Herring said, “This is our fourth year doing this, me and my fiancé. It’s important for us we represent our department out here and everything.”

The Tunnel to Towers event began to honor the story of Firefighter Stephen Gerald Siller. Siller drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to get to the towers, but it was closed. He then decided to run on foot through the tunnel to get to the towers where he ultimately lost his life. Tunnel to Towers Brockport Race Director Michele Walsh Myers said, “Stephen ran through the tunnel to the towers in full gear and to see the firefighters come out to participate in this event, to follow his footsteps, to show the support to the 343 firefighters that were lost on 9/11, it’s just so emotional and powerful.”

Some run to honor their fellow first responders while others run to remember their loved ones lost that day. “It’s important to me personally to remember the 343 that fell during 9/11 and all those first responders that gave their lives and sacrificed, paid the ultimate price.”

“So, I lost, well I should say my hometown lost five in 9/11. Two of them were Timmy and Tommy Haskall, they were brother firefighters.”

After the runners cross the finish line of the 5K, they are only halfway done. Now they have to climb 110 flights of stairs to symbolize the climb first responders had to make in 2001. “If you’re old enough to remember that day, you remember where you were and what you were doing when that first plane hit that first tower.”

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