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McGuire members run, honor those fallen during 9/11

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  Team McGuire members recently participated in the Tunnel to Towers Run in New York City to help honor the memory of all the police, firefighters and Emergency Medical Service workers who lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

In particular, they helped honor the memory of Stephen Siller, a husband and father of five, who was a firefighter from Squad 1, Park Slope Brooklyn, N.Y. Although off-duty at the time, when Mr. Siller heard the towers were hit, he headed directly toward ground zero to help. 

When his truck was prohibited from entering the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, he raced on foot toward the site with his gear strapped to his back. He was last seen alive on West and Liberty Streets where he, more than likely, went looking for his squad, all of whom perished. The Tunnel to Towers Run retraces Stephen's footsteps on that fateful day. 

"Our first sergeant sent an e-mail out about the event, including the Web site with Stephen's story," said Chief Master Sgt. Jack Cruz, 818th Contingency Response Group superintendent and participant in the run. "When I went to the site, it was actually a pretty cool and inspirational story, so I decided to participate. 

"Originally, I was mostly participating because it was a formal 5K, which I had never done, and it was for a good cause. But, it turned out to be an absolutely fantastic operation with a huge outpouring of support for the firefighters, police officers and military members. There were so many people who came up to those in uniform from McGuire and thanked them for their service and everything they do." 

Master Sgt. Bubba Beason, 818 CRG first sergeant and participant in the run, helped spread the word about the Tunnel to Towers Run. After hearing about the event through his wife, Sergeant Beason decided it was a great cause, and he wanted as many people to participate as possible. 

"Stephen was fighting terrorism at home," Sergeant Beason said. "If he had the courage to strap on his gear and run three miles toward the attacks, when everyone else was running away, the least I could do was participate in the event and help raise money for a great cause." 

Dressed in full battle rattle and weighted ruck sacks, Sergeant Beason ran the three-miles, even though he originally planned to walk. 

"I planned to walk the whole thing," Sergeant Beason said. "But, when you get there, put all your gear on and see all those people cheering you on, you get this rush, and there's no way you're going to walk." 

Approximately 22,000 people participated in the run, including police officers, firefighters, and 'Wounded Warriors' -- police officers, firefighters and military members injured in the line of duty. Approximately 100 firefighters from London also flew in to participate in the event. 

"It went from competing in a race, for a personal goal, to being a lot more than that," Chief Cruz said. "It was (about) being part of a huge support network and trying to replicate what Stephen had done. He gave his life to help save others, and this was just a small event to help remember and honor that." 

Chief Cruz said many participants tried to relive what Stephen had gone through, wearing 75 pounds of gear on his back, as he ran through the tunnel. 

"There were people with tires strapped onto their backs," he said. "I was curious, so when I asked why, they said, 'Stephen ran with 75 pounds of gear on his back, it's the least we can do.' The run was truly a tribute to Stephen and all of those who gave their lives that day." 

For Sergeant Beason, it was a truly emotional event. 

"When you're nearing the end of the 1.7-mile tunnel, you start to see all the firefighters lined up on the other side, just waiting to cheer you on," he said. "I realized there were 343 firefighters lined up; the exact amount of firefighters who died Sept. 11. I teared up; it was truly an emotional, touching and unforgettable experience." 

Chief Cruz and Sergeant Beason encourage all personnel and their families to participate in and/or support next year's Tunnel to Towers Run. 

"Next year, my focus will be much less on running the event and more about taking in the experience of retracing Stephen Siller's path in uniform," Chief Cruz said. "We're hoping we can get a much larger group of Air Force participants to join us next year." 

Staff Sgt. Mark Dexter, 818 CRG, also ran with full battle rattle and weighted ruck sacks. Senior Airmen Joe Rice and Matt Loy of the 818th Global Mobility Squadron ran in BDU's carrying the 818 CRG guidon.