Remembering September 11th...In A Different Way

Marc and I decided to participate in this year's Tunnel to Towers 2008 5k run - a tribute to all the fallen firemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11. This is a family-started race that originated to honor Fireman Stephen Siller. A short version of his heroic story...

Stephen Siller, beloved husband and father of five, was a firefighter from Squad 1, Park Slope Brooklyn. On 9/11, he was off-duty, and on his way to golf with his 3 older brothers. When Stephen heard on his scanner that the World Trade Center had been hit, he turned his vehicle around and headed towards the site. When his truck was prohibited from entering the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, he raced on foot towards the site with his gear strapped to his back. He was last seen alive on West and Liberty Streets where he went looking for his Squad, all of whom perished. The Tunnel to Towers Run retraces Stephen's footsteps on that fateful day. In running along his path, we honor the memory of all the Firefighters, Police, and EMS workers who performed their duty that day. In running this race, we are reclaiming still another part of the city for all our heroes and for all of those who died on 9/11.

This was, by far, one of the most memorable experiences I've had since moving to NYC close to a year ago... There were over 20,000 people who came out to show their love and support, relive their memories, work through the continued healing process of remembering that day in sadness and celebrating the lives of the fallen heroes and all the good of the American people that came from this tragedy. Firemen from all over the world participated in this race...it was truly amazing, a living memorial and tribute... As cheesy as it may sound, it was an emotional day for me and it made me proud to be an American.

On a lighter note, Marc and I both finished the race - our FIRST 5k together....it was pretty cool! The course went through the Battery Tunnel, starting in Brooklyn and into Manhattan, past Ground Zero and through Battery Park... The amount of supporters out there was awesome - and the most stunning moment of the entire event is running out of the Battery Tunnel to 343 firefighters wearing photos of the firefighters who lost their lives, standing beside 343 firefighters holding American flags...a flag for each firefighter who fell.

It was an amazing experience - there are no words to describe the feelings... I took as many photos as possible to try and remember the experience. Hope you enjoy them.

Entrance to Battery Tunnel

Three tires...can you believe it?

Making it into Manhattan

London Firefighters

NYC Fire Department

We made it to the finish and I DID beat Marc...by one second! Please disregard my 'wet rat' look - it was pouring down rain most of the run and afterwards.

Rudy Giuliani

Marc's new water holder...

Michele, Edna and Jenn - Active Crew

To all the heroes and victims....you will never be forgotten.