NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues," which includes the lyrics, “The future’s uncertain, and the end is always near,” was one of Stephen Siller’s favorite songs.
Listening to the song evokes one of the memories Tunnel to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller has of his brother that still brings a smile, but also the profound loss that came on 9/11.
Recently, Frank walked through the mountains of West Virginia and down the long winding roads of Maryland as part of a 500-mile walk across six states to raise money for the foundation.
“The truth is, when I’m walking through these mountains, I have some unbelievable emotions thinking about my brother,” he told 1010 WINS.
It has been 20 years since Stephen strapped on 60 pounds of firefighter gear and ran on foot through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to rescue people in the Twin Towers. Stephen died that day.
“I have my moments, but the best way for me and my family is that we take this evil act, and we do as much good to defeat it as possible,” Frank said.
Along the 500 miles, Frank has accumulated what he calls “blisters of joy,” but the joy that nourishes him most comes from the people he meets along the journey. He says it helps allay his greatest fear: that people will begin to forget.
“Yes it is a fear of mine, but we’re going to do everything we can at Tunnels to Towers,” he said. “Our first mission is to never forget.”