Frank Siller experienced a wave of dread on September 11, 2001, as the first plane struck the World Trade Center. "I turned to my mother-in-law and said, ‘I think I just lost my brother.’ I was sick to my stomach," he recalled.

His brother, Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter, was off duty and driving home when he heard about the attack. Stephen turned his truck around, gathered 60 pounds of equipment, and ran through the closed Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the unfolding tragedy in Manhattan.

Later that day, a friend and fellow firefighter, Richie Obermeyer, called Frank from Ground Zero with grim confirmation: "No one is coming home, Frank. No one." Stephen Siller, a husband and father of five, never returned.

Foundation's Origins

In the aftermath of their loss, the Siller siblings grappled with how to honor their brother's sacrifice. "Are we going to let that define everything — or are we going to take what Stephen did and thank him for his sacrifice?" Frank Siller recounted. They decided to channel their grief into action, launching the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, initially to support children who had lost parents in the attacks.

The foundation's origins trace back to a 5k run held in 2002, retracing Stephen's path through the tunnel. That event, which drew 1,500 participants, has since grown to an event with 30,000 participants.

Expanding Mission

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation's mission has expanded significantly over the years. It now provides financial support for families of 9/11 victims, as well as veterans and first responders. The organization builds mortgage-free smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans, offers housing assistance to homeless veterans, pays off mortgages for Gold Star families, and provides scholarships for the children of fallen service members and first responders.

Frank Siller, who serves as Chairman and CEO of the foundation, stated that by the end of 2026, Tunnel to Towers will have delivered over 2,000 mortgage-free homes.

Personal Reflections

In his new book, “Let Us Do Good,” Frank Siller also reflects on his family's background and Stephen's life. He describes his parents, George and Mae Siller, who raised seven children on Staten Island. He also shares how Stephen, who had an "eerie feeling about the future," admitted to his wife that his drive to make the most of every day stemmed from a premonition he would die young.

Siller acknowledged the personal toll of his brother's death, admitting, "I’d rather have him back, in a very selfish way."

Responding to Controversy

While Siller generally avoids political discourse, he recently addressed controversial remarks made by a streamer who suggested America deserved 9/11. Siller called such statements "disturbing" and "naive," asserting that "It’s the greatest country in the world… It’s not true."

He stated that while his younger self might have reacted physically, his current approach is to focus on the foundation's mission and the enduring message of remembrance. "Even with all their complicated initiatives, they are still working to ensure people 'never forget,'" the notes read.

Siller continues to reflect on his brother's final moments, imagining his thoughts as he ran toward danger. "I’m sure he was torn," he said, thinking of his wife and kids. "That’s a hero."