STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — I was just 8 years old when the Towers were brought down. I vaguely remember most of the day, but some things I can never forget.
My third grade classroom had been watching Jurassic Park when suddenly the principal began paging my classroom rapidly asking that certain students be sent down to the office for early dismissal.
Eventually, I became one of those students. Though very confused, I was excited to not have to be in school. What kid wouldn’t be? Until the second I stepped out of the school building.
My eyes were glued up above, tons of thick, dark smoke moved high over the trees as parents, and my mom, buzzed in chatter and pointed toward the city. My mom, although confused, remained calm and tried to explain to me that a plane had hit one of the “twins” in Manhattan. We all were confused.
Was it deliberate? Was another plane headed for Staten Island? In a panic, we rushed to my grandparents’ house to make phone calls, only a three-minute drive from the school building, and after learning that my dad and other family members were safe, we sat down, glued to the television. I tried to place myself in the shoes of those first responders on TV and the people trapped inside the building. I never could.
Until today.
What Stephen Siller did was justified in my mind today as more than heroic. I consider him more than a hero, more than a man with incredible courage and bravery. Perhaps a legend.
Although I couldn’t put myself in his shoes that sunny Tuesday morning, I’m very proud to say that I did this beautiful Sunday morning. This run gave me the chance to see other people of New York at their most proud. To journey across the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, hearing the cheers and chants of other runners and seeing the look of excitement and accomplishment that each and every officer and firefighter offered runners as they exited the tunnel is something I could never forget.
But ultimately, they, as well as us runners, were thanking Stephen.
If he didn’t make that journey, there would be no chance to give this extra day of appreciation and support to New York’s Bravest and Finest. Thank you, Stephen Siller.
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