Today, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, we remember the 2,977 people we lost and the families who miss them, and the thousands who were, and still are, affected by that day.
This summer, one of our partners ran a 5K with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, founded in memory of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller.
Stephen was the youngest of seven, raised by his older siblings. He grew up believing "while we have time, let us do good."
On the morning of September 11, 2001, he had just finished his shift with Brooklyn’s Squad 1. He was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he heard a plane had hit the North Tower.
He called his wife, Sally, asked her to let his brothers know he would catch up later, and went back for his gear. When he found the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel closed, he strapped on 60 pounds of equipment and ran toward danger on foot to the Twin Towers.
He gave his life saving others.
The foundation that bears his name still supports Gold Star families, fallen first responders, and veterans.
One of our partners shared this morning that he hugged his son a little tighter on the way to school and told him where he was on 9/11.
Later today they'll visit their town’s 9/11 memorial, which holds a piece of steel from the towers.
He also remembered a family friend, a firefighter who later became a defense lawyer and a devoted father who coached Little League, who fought 9/11-related cancer for 23 years.
He died because he was brave enough to run toward danger to help others.
These were people like us. They woke up, went to work, and tried to do good for themselves and their families.
The ones who ran toward danger, and those who still live with the health effects 25 years later, show how lasting the toll of that day has been.
We are blessed to live in the greatest city, in the greatest country in the world. New Yorkers are gritty and resilient people of every background who choose, every day, to do good for one another.
That's what this country and this state are built on, and it is worth protecting and renewing, especially when many people feel afraid.
Today, as we remember what was lost and why it must never be forgotten, we also welcome a new year. As Rosh Hashanah begins this evening, Shabbat Shalom and L’Shanah Tovah to all who celebrate.
May this year bring strength, safety, and peace to New Yorkers, to Americans, and to everyone who still believes a more peaceful world is worth building.
Never forget. Not only today.
