As the nation nears the solemn commemoration of September 11, Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, spoke with Abby Hornacek to deliver a message of gratitude and remembrance. This year, the foundation is settling 21 mortgages for families of fallen first responders and Gold Star families, ensuring the enduring legacy of these heroes.
This mission is profoundly personal for Siller, built from the sacrifice of his brother, Stephen Siller, an FDNY firefighter, who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel on 9/11 to fulfill his duty. His body was never recovered. Frank Siller expressed that the foundation was established to honor his brother’s heroic act and the sacrifices of all heroes who perished that day.
The foundation’s dedication includes support for those still affected by the events of that day. Of the 21 mortgages being settled, six belong to families of first responders who succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses, a poignant reminder of the ongoing toll of that tragedy. The foundation’s promise is clear and meaningful: “If you’re a first responder and you’re protecting us, we’re gonna take care of your families that are left behind.”
Ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Tunnel to Towers is launching “Steel Across America,” a new initiative to educate future generations. The foundation will transport a piece of steel from the World Trade Center nationwide, alongside a 93-foot mobile museum. Siller explained that this tour will ensure people “never forget what happened” and comprehend the cost paid for their freedoms.
Siller called on all Americans to partake in this critical mission of good deeds. “Please go to and donate $11 a month,” he urged. “Join us on this mission, join us in this promise.”
