Tunnel to Towers Foundation

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS [July 29, 2026]  – Registration is now open for the Tunnel to Towers Chicago Tower Climb 150 North Riverside Plaza on September 12th, at 8:00 AM.

The event will honor and celebrate Chicago-area first responders – firefighters, police, EMTs, and paramedics, as well as the military service members who serve, sacrifice, and protect us every day.

“Join us on September 12, as we remember the brave heroes who ran towards danger that fateful day, and of course, to also remember the countless victims who lost their lives on 9/11,” stated Chicago Tower Climb Volunteer Director Steve Linder. “By supporting Tunnel to Towers, we help them in their amazing goal of building smart homes for our most catastrophically wounded veterans, providing mortgage free homes for the surviving families of those killed in the line of duty, and connecting our homeless veterans to support services and a new beginning.”

The Tunnel to Towers Run, Walk & Climb Series was created to honor the heroic life and death of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001, after strapping on 60 pounds of gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center.

The Chicago Tower Climb is one of over 100 events in a national series of 5Ks and Climbs held across the United States to support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Proceeds from this event help provide mortgage-free homes to fallen first responder and Gold Star families, as well as Smart Homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

This year, in tribute to the 343 FDNY Firefighters lost on 9/11, the Foundation is delivering 343 mortgage-free homes to America’s heroes and the families they have left behind.

Honor the memory of Stephen Siller and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by joining us at the upcoming Chicago Tower Climb.

Participants may register online at https://climbchicago.t2t.org/.

Foundation Continues Nationwide ‘Steel Across America’ tour with by Bringing Iconic 16,900 World Trade Center Steel Beam to Busch Stadium

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI [August 8, 2026] — On Saturday, August 8th, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation visited Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri as part of the Steel Across America tour, surprising a decorated combat veteran and his family with a mortgage-free smart home in front of thousands of fans gathered to watch St. Louis take on the Colorado Rockies. Attendees were also able to view a 21-foot, 16,900-pound steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center, bringing a sacred piece of American history to one of the most storied venues in baseball.

During the second inning, U.S. Army Sergeant Garry William Thompson Jr. was honored in the outfield during a special on-field ceremony. Retired FDNY Lieutenant and Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member Tom O’Connor joined Stephen Siller Jr., son of fallen 9/11 FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, and Colleen Lucas, Anheuser-Busch Vice President of Community Impact, to surprise Thompson with a ceremonial Tunnel to Towers key. The key represents a brand-new, mortgage-free smart home that will be custom-built from the ground up to meet Thompson’s specific needs.

“What the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has given my family is something truly life changing,” Sergeant Thompson Jr. said “This is a home built for me and my family, designed around my needs, that gives me the ability to move through my own space, to live with more independence, and to be the husband and father I want to be for Jennifer and my sons. I am beyond grateful. I’m glad to know that there are people, like those at the Foundation, who are looking out for us.”

Thompson, a Military Police Sergeant who served nine years of active duty from 2000 to 2009, was honorably discharged following a combat-related gunshot wound to the lumbar spine sustained during his 2008 deployment to Afghanistan, which resulted in bilateral lower extremity paraplegia. Awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Thompson has demonstrated the same resilience and courage in civilian life that defined his service. He will now be able to live freely and comfortably in a home designed specifically for him, one that honors his sacrifice and gives his family the stability and peace they have earned.

“My father ran toward the Twin Towers on September 11th with 60 pounds of gear on his back, knowing the danger that lay ahead, because that is what he was called to do,” said Siller Jr. “Sergeant Thompson answered that same call, serving nine years in uniform and giving everything he had in defense of this country. That is the spirit my father embodied, and that is the spirit we honor every single stop on this tour. It is the least we can do for people like Garry and his family, and it is why we will never stop doing this work.”

The day’s events celebrated the expanded partnership between Anheuser-Busch and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. As a national sponsor, Anheuser-Busch supports Tunnel to Towers races and community events nationwide, helping the Foundation provide critical housing assistance to military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. Over the course of the five-year partnership, Anheuser-Busch has contributed more than $750,000 to advance the Foundation’s mission.

“Anheuser-Busch has been proud to stand alongside the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for five years, and there is no more meaningful place to deepen that commitment than right here in our hometown of St. Louis,” said Colleen Lucas, Vice President of Community Impact, Anheuser-Busch. “Sergeant Thompson’s story embodies exactly why this partnership exists. He served this country with honor and deserves every bit of support we can give him and his family. Helping to make moments like this possible, where a hero like Garry can receive a home built specifically for his needs, is what serving those who serve truly looks like in action.”

Steel Across America is a moving tribute to a defining moment in American history, carrying a piece of the South Tower recovered by thousands of first responders who rushed to Ground Zero in the days following the attacks to communities across the country. The steel stands as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and the American spirit that emerged from tragedy, and the stories of men like New York City firefighter Stephen Siller and Sergeant Garry William Thompson Jr. remind us of exactly why we must Never Forget.

On Wednesday, August 12th, Steel Across America will make its next official stop at Chicago Fire Department Engine Company 18 in Chicago, Illinois.

About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

Children of the Foundation’s home recipients are offered full scholarships for undergraduate degrees and accredited trade school programs, helping secure their futures. The Foundation is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America Never Forget September 11, 2001. 

Visit T2T.org to learn more, and follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

About Anheuser-Busch

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation’s top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.  

We make the nation’s most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America’s #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, BeatBox, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That’s who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Through series of nationwide events, fundraising efforts, and donations, the two organizations will pay tribute to the heroes lost that day while supporting America’s military, veterans, and first responders

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI [August 5, 2026] — Today, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) announced an expanded partnership ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Together, the organizations will honor the memory and legacy of the heroes lost that day while advancing the Foundation’s mission to support America’s military, veterans, and first responders with housing assistance through nationwide initiatives in 2026.

Through this expanded partnership, Anheuser-Busch will:

– Throughout summer and fall: Serve as a National Sponsor of the 2026 Tunnel to Towers Foundation Run, Walk, and Climb Series, working with its national network of wholesaler partners to sponsor or participate in local races nationwide through November.
– August 8: Support the Tunnel to Towers Steel Across America campaign by helping to bring an authentic steel beam from the World Trade Center to Anheuser-Busch’s hometown of St. Louis, where it can be viewed outside of Busch Stadium and recognized through a special on-field presentation during the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game (ticket required).
– September 27: Sponsor the annual Tunnel to Towers NYC 5K Run & Walk for the fifth straight year, recruiting 250 Anheuser-Busch employees, family members, and friends to participate. For the first time ever, the Budweiser Clydesdales will escort the Siller family in the opening procession. Throughout the race weekend, commemorative Budweiser cans will be shared at post-race gatherings.

Additionally, on September 11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Anheuser-Busch will re-air Budweiser’s 2002 “Respect” commercial for just the fourth time ever to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11. This commercial featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales honoring the legacy of those who were lost initially aired during the 2002 Super Bowl, and was only re-aired twice for the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the event. Follow the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Anheuser-Busch for more details on when and where the ad will run.

These expanded efforts build on five years of partnership, through which Anheuser-Busch has donated more than $750,000 to further the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission and support America’s heroes and their families.

Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation said: “The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was created to honor the legacy of my brother, FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, and all those who gave their lives on Sept. 11. As we mark 25 years since that day, partnerships like this one with Anheuser-Busch help ensure Americans never forget the sacrifice of our first responders, service members, and their families. With Anheuser-Busch serving as a National Sponsor, we are able to bring more communities together across the country to pay tribute to that legacy and support the heroes who continue to sacrifice for our nation.”

Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer, Anheuser-Busch said: “As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, Anheuser-Busch is honored to deepen its partnership with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and help communities across the country recognize and remember those who answered the call. Anheuser-Busch is proud to support our heroic first responders and their families with critical housing assistance and to carry forward our nation’s legacy of strength, courage, and resilience by serving those who serve.”

Serving those who serve has been a defining part of Anheuser-Busch’s history for more than 165 years. Today, more than 10% of Anheuser-Busch’s workforce is made up of active service members and veterans – a legacy that continues to guide its commitment to those who serve.

For more on Anheuser-Busch’s work serving those who serve, visit https://www.anheuser-busch.com/military-and-first-responders.

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

We make the nation’s most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America’s #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, BeatBox, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That’s who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

ABOUT THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION

Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

Visit T2T.org to learn more, and follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

The tour will next visit the National WW1 Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri on August 5th

DENVER, COLORADO [August 1, 2026] — On Saturday, August 1st, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation brought its Steel Across America tour to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver, CO for its twenty-seventh event. The nationwide tour, honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11, features a 21-foot, 16,900-pound steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center’s South Tower.

The museum, which is housed in Hangar 1 of the former Lowry Air Force Base in eastern Denver, was a fitting host. Transferred from the U.S. Air Force to a group of volunteers in 1994, it now serves as Colorado’s official air and space museum. When operational, the base graduated more than 1.1 million enlisted members and officers across World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.

Retired FDNY Battalion Commander and Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member Jack Oehm hosted the ceremony, welcoming guests and guiding the program. Proceedings opened with a Color Guard and Pipes and Drums procession, followed by the national anthem. Deacon Ernie Martinez then delivered the invocation and blessing of the steel. Oehm returned to retire the colors and deliver opening remarks on the significance of the steel and the tour’s mission before introducing the morning’s speakers.

Oehm shared his personal story of service and sacrifice, offering attendees a powerful and firsthand reminder of the men and women whose dedication and courage the Steel Across America tour is dedicated to honoring. Oehm’s remarks drew a direct line between the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the enduring memory of that day, the time that has passed since, and all of the lives we lost which remain in our hearts and minds.

Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member Anthony Lacorazza followed with acknowledgments, recognizing the sponsors, supporters, dignitaries, and community partners whose generosity makes the Foundation’s work possible. He also shared his personal experience on 9/11 as a law enforcement officer, and how his service to first responders continues to present day.

Wings Over the Rockies President and CEO David Dickerson welcomed the Foundation and spoke to the significance of hosting Steel Across America at a museum dedicated to honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who have served.

Dickerson said at the event: “I am deeply honored the Tunnel to Towers Foundation chose Wings Over the Rockies as a stop on the ‘Steel Across America’ tour. It is a great privilege to have these artifacts here with us, and to hear the stories behind them. Just like the aircraft that surround us here on our Museum’s floor today, these artifacts stand as a solemn salute to courage. And – I can whole heartedly promise it is a level of courage that we will, indeed, Never Forget.”

Stephen Siller Jr., son of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, then took the stage to deliver remarks, speaking to the significance of bringing the World Trade Center steel to Denver and to a community that has long honored the service and sacrifice of those who protect this nation. Surrounded by aircraft and artifacts that tell the story of American courage across generations, Siller Jr. reflected on what it means to carry his father’s legacy from city to city and to stand before communities across the country who continue to answer the call to Never Forget.

“My father ran toward danger because he lived his life in service all the time. That same spirit is what carried a generation forward,” said Siller. “In the years since 9/11, so many young men and women looked at what happened that day and decided they wanted to serve something bigger than themselves. Every time we bring this steel to a new city, we’re reminded that his legacy, and the legacy of everyone we lost that day, didn’t end, it multiplied.”

Oehm and Siller Jr. then presented Dickerson with a commemorative steel flag on behalf of the Foundation. The flag is a custom-built tribute featuring the New York City skyline with the Twin Towers standing tall, incorporating original World Trade Center steel, and is presented only to those who demonstrate honorable dedication to the work and mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The formal ceremony was brought to a close and the steel beam was made available for viewing and reflection. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation welcomed all guests to explore the museum’s remarkable collection of aircraft, space vehicles, and military artifacts.

On Wednesday, August 5^th the Steel Across America will make its next official stop at the National WW1 Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri.

For the Steel Across America tour route, dates and more information click here.

On Tuesday, July 7, Tunnel to Towers gathered at the annual Fleet Week Event in Fort Wadsworth, New York.

The day’s festivities included the singing of the National Anthem by New York City Fire Department Firefighter Bryan Robinson as well as the gifting of Steel Flags to members of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Additionally, Tunnel to Towers honored those who have dedicated their time to volunteering for the Foundation over the last 25 years.

The tour will next visit the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver, CO on August 1^st

KEYSTONE, SOUTH DAKOTA [July 28, 2026] — On Tuesday, July 28th, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s ‘Steel Across America’ tour visited Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota.

For the 26^th stop on a nationwide tour in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Steel Across America brought a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center to one of the most iconic and sacred landmarks in the United States, offering guests of Mount Rushmore National Memorial and local community members a rare opportunity to experience this artifact firsthand.

The steel beam arrived on site with a ceremonial reveal as Tunnel to Towers Foundation leadership and first responders welcomed guests to begin the morning’s events. Retired FDNY Battalion Commander Joe LaPointe guided the ceremony’s proceedings with the FDNY Ceremonial Honor Guard, South Dakota State Police, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department Pipes and Drums.

The program opened with a performance of the National Anthem by the Shrine of Democracy Chorus, followed by an invocation and blessing of the steel delivered by Father Andrzej. LaPointe then formally introduced the steel beam, led the audience in a moment of silent reflection, and oversaw the retirement of colors. Retired FDNY Battalion Chief John Carroll then served as host for the remainder of the program.

Jennifer Carpenter, Superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, delivered remarks on the significance of welcoming the Steel Across America tour to Mount Rushmore, and of the ideals that have defined the American spirit across generations.

“Mount Rushmore National Memorial honors the leaders and ideals that have shaped our nation,” said Superintendent Jennifer Carpenter. “We are honored to welcome the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America tour and help preserve the memory of those whose courage and sacrifice continue to inspire Americans.” 

Mike Lentin, Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member and President of CitiQuiet Windows, led acknowledgments and shoutouts, recognizing the sponsors, supporters, dignitaries, and community partners whose generosity and dedication made the morning’s events possible.

Stephen Siller Jr., son of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, then took the stage, accompanied by an FDNY Ceremonial Push-in. As part of the ceremonial proceedings, Siller Jr. presented a commemorative steel flag to Superintendent Jennifer Carpenter — a gift bestowed to those who demonstrate honorable dedication to the work and mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Retired USMC Corporal Scott Nokes shared a powerful firsthand story of the real and lasting impact of the Foundation’s mission and the men and women whose lives of service the Steel Across America tour is dedicated to honoring.

“There is no more fitting backdrop for this steel than the faces of the presidents who shaped this nation carved into the mountain behind us,” said Siller. “Each of those leaders understood that freedom is not free, and that the greatness of America has always been built on the backs of those willing to give everything in its defense. The heroes of September 11th gave everything. Steel Across America is our promise to each and every one of them that this Foundation, and this country, will never stop honoring their sacrifice.”

The steel is an everlasting reminder of the selfless courage and service of first responders who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, including New York City firefighter Stephen Siller. Recovered from Ground Zero in the days following the attacks by the thousands of first responders who answered the call, the beam stands as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and the unbreakable American spirit that emerged from tragedy.

For the Steel Across America tour route, dates and more information click here.

The Opening Ceremony took place on Friday, July 24, at 11:00 AM

NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA [July 24, 2026] – The Tunnel to Towers Foundation opened its North Charleston Veterans Village, which will provide permanent supportive housing for America’s veterans.

The former hotel at 2450 Prospect Drive has been transformed into 90 units of affordable housing where veterans will not only have a place to live, but also access to the services they need to build long-term stability and independence.

On-site services include Job training and employment assistance, VA benefits navigation, education assistance, financial counseling, legal advocacy, mental health and PTSD counseling, and addiction recovery services.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation launched its Homeless Veteran Program

Launched in 2022, Tunnel to Towers has provided housing assistance and supportive services to more than 20,000 veterans nationwide and 10,000 children.

The Foundation currently operates Veterans Villages in Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, while also supporting affiliate veteran housing programs in Riverside and West Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas.

This year, Tunnel to Towers will open Veterans Villages in Memphis, Tennessee; Detroit, Michigan; Denver, Colorado; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. An additional seven Veterans Villages are currently under construction and are expected to open in 2027.

Beyond its work to end veteran homelessness, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and families of fallen first responders with young children and builds specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. The Mae and George Siller Scholarship Program provides full scholarships for all undergraduate degree programs and certified and accredited trade programs for the children of its Gold Star Family Home Program, Fallen First Responder Home Program, and Smart Home Program.

For more information about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its programs, visit T2T.org or support the Foundation’s mission by donating $11 a month.

The tour will next visit Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota on July 28th

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH [July 23, 2026] — On Thursday, July 23rd, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation completed its 25th stop on the ‘Steel Across America’ tour visiting the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City, Utah. The nationwide tour commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, brought a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center to the Beehive State, offering Salt Lake City community members a rare opportunity to experience this sacred artifact firsthand, and pay tribute to the heroes who answered the call on September 11.

The ceremony was hosted by Jack Kielty, Retired FDNY Lieutenant and Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member, who welcomed guests and guided the formal proceedings. The program opened with a Color Guard and Pipes and Drums procession, followed by a performance of the national anthem by Ross Graham & Triest Graham. Reverend John S. Evans then delivered the invocation and blessing of the steel. Kielty returned to the stage to retire the colors and deliver opening remarks on the significance of the steel and the tour’s mission before introducing the morning’s speakers.

Sheriff Rosie Rivera took the stage to deliver remarks and speak to what it means to welcome the steel to Salt Lake City, reaffirming the city’s promise to never allow that date to fade from public memory. Major George Hansen of the Utah State Highway Patrol followed with remarks honoring the first responders who gave their lives on 9/11 and recognizing the men and women of Salt Lake City who serve and protect this city every day. Lastly Justin Soha, Market Ops Manager at Lube Management Corp, took the stage to talk about the company’s partnership and support with the Foundation in Utah and beyond.

Kathy Cunningham, Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member, was then introduced to the stage. Cunningham delivered remarks honoring Stephen Siller’s legacy and the promise that drives Steel Across America from coast to coast, speaking to the Salt Lake City community about the importance of carrying this story forward to a generation that did not live through the events of what the tour seeks to remember.

As part of the ceremonial proceedings, Stephen Siller Jr., son of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, presented a commemorative steel flag to Sheriff Rivera. The flag is a custom-built tribute featuring the New York City skyline with the Twin Towers standing tall, incorporating original World Trade Center steel, presented only to those who demonstrate honorable dedication to the work and mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Kielty returned to the stage to bring the formal program to a close, after which the steel beam was made available for viewing and reflection.

“There is something deeply moving about bringing this steel to the steps of a state capitol, in a community that so clearly lives out its commitment to those who serve,” said Stephen Siller Jr. “Salt Lake City has welcomed this steel with open arms and open hearts, and that means everything to our Foundation and to the families we care for. Thank you for helping us bring this piece of the towers to every corner of this country and remind every American to Never Forget the courage and sacrifice of September 11th.”

On Tuesday, July 28th, Steel Across America will make its next official stop at Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota.

For the Steel Across America tour route, dates and more information click here.

B-roll footage and images are available at the digital media kit if you’d like to cover this announcement.

U.S. Army Specialist Tyler Wilson, Family Throw Out First Pitch as Foundation Continues To Remember 9/11 Anniversary with ‘Steel Across America’ Tour

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON [July 17, 2026] — On Friday, July 17th, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s ‘Steel Across America’ tour visited T-Mobile Park for the Mariners-Giants baseball game in Seattle, Washington.

For the twenty-fourth stop on a nationwide tour in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Steel Across America brought a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center to Seattle, offering baseball fans and local visitors a rare opportunity to experience this powerful sacred artifact firsthand.

At the game, U.S. Army Specialist Tyler Wilson and his family were brought onto the field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. After the pitch, retired FDNY Lieutenant and Tunnel to Towers Foundation Board Member Tom O’Connor and Stephen Siller Jr. surprised Wilson and his family with a Tunnel to Towers Foundation key, representing a brand-new mortgage-free smart home custom built from the ground up to meet his every need.

“This home is going to change our lives. I am beyond grateful to move through my own home comfortably and independently. Knowing that we will never have to worry about a mortgage means my family can finally exhale and focus on the things that matters most like raising our two sons,” said U.S. Army Specialist Tyler Wilson. “I joined the Army after September 11th because I never wanted to forget, and because I believed that answering that call was the most important thing I could do for my country. My wife was a firefighter in Colorado, so the Tunnel to Towers Foundation feels like home because they fight for people like us every single day.”

Wilson, who was paralyzed after sustaining four gunshot wounds from Taliban forces during a rescue mission in Afghanistan, will now be able to live freely and comfortably in a home designed specifically for him, one that honors his sacrifice and gives his family the stability and peace they have earned.

Before the game, Tom O’Connor led a ceremony emphasizing the importance of the steel beam as a symbol of remembrance. O’Connor presented a commemorative steel flag to Seattle PD Chief Shon Barnes and Seattle FD Chief Harold Scoggins, serving as a gesture of gratitude for the hospitality in hosting Steel Across America. Visitors were able to view the steel beam from the South Tower up close throughout the evening as well as hear and connect with first-hand stories of 9/11 from those who experienced it.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was honored to bring the steel to Seattle and T-Mobile Park. T-Mobile is an official sponsor of the Foundation and the Steel Across America tour. As a strong supporter of the Foundation, T-Mobile has promised a $2 million multi-year commitment to support initiatives like scholarships for children of fallen heroes, as well as providing free service to eligible families.

“Specialist Tyler Wilson’s story is one of extraordinary resilience, and we’re honored to celebrate him and his family,” said Mo Katibeh, Chief Marketing Officer, T-Mobile Business Group. “We’re committed to supporting the military and first responder communities in many ways. Whether we’re helping the Tunnel to Towers Foundation expand its impact for our nation’s heroes and their families or delivering advanced, mission-ready connectivity through T-Priority, we’re proud to use the full strength of T-Mobile to support the people who protect and serve our communities.”

Baseball holds a special place in the story of how America, and the city of Seattle, healed after 9/11. On September 19, 2001, just eight days after the attacks, Mark McLemore and Mike Cameron carried a large American flag around the infield in a spontaneous, solemn procession that told a grieving country they would Never Forget.

“Baseball has always been more than a game for this country, and nowhere was that more clear than in the days and weeks after September 11th, when the sport gave a grieving nation a reason to come together,” said Stephen Siller Jr. “Bringing the Steel Across America tour to T-Mobile Park and sharing this evening with our partners, the Seattle Mariners and with Specialist Wilson and his family is exactly what this tour is all about. It is about remembering, honoring, and showing up for the people who have given everything for this country.”

The steel beam is an everlasting reminder of the selfless courage and service of first responders who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, including New York City firefighter Stephen Siller. Seattle, with its demonstrated commitment to Never Forget, was a perfect stop to bring a steal beam that was recovered by thousands of first responders who rushed to Ground Zero in the days following the attacks. The beam stands as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and our unbreakable spirit that emerged from tragedy.   

On Monday, July 23rd, Steel Across America will make its next official stop at the Utah State Capital in Salt Lake City, UT.

Published by Broadside Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, on the 25th-anniversary year of September 11, the memoir tells the story behind America’s largest organization serving veterans, first responders, and their families

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. [July 20, 2026] — The Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced today that its Chairman and CEO, Frank Siller, will publish his memoir, Let Us Do Good, on September 1, 2026, from Broadside Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.

The book takes its title from the words the Siller family has lived by for generations. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Frank’s younger brother Stephen, an off-duty FDNY firefighter, strapped on his gear and ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the Twin Towers, where he gave his life saving others. In the years that followed, a grieving family turned a promise into a movement — and “Let us do good,” the phrase passed down from their parents, Mae and George Siller, became its guiding mission.

In Let Us Do Good, Frank Siller tells that story in full: the brother he lost, the faith and family that carried him through, and how the Tunnel to Towers Foundation grew into the nation’s largest organization supporting catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, Gold Star families, and the families of fallen first responders. It is a personal memoir, a portrait of American generosity, and a blueprint for turning loss into purpose.

“For 25 years, the American people have stood with us as we have worked to do good in my brother Stephen’s name,” said Frank Siller. “This is the story of how our family’s greatest loss became a promise we intend to keep — to the families of our fallen heroes and to the veterans who have given so much. Our parents always instilled in us the words and teachings of St. Francis, ‘Let us do good.’ I wrote this book so that these words, and Stephen’s sacrifice, will inspire others to do the same.”

*Advance praise for Let Us Do Good:*

“A pilgrimage yearning to be told. Frank details our family’s journey rooted in deep faith, love, and charity. Jarred by tragic events yet lifted by humanity in our darkest moments, this book teaches us how grief not only sustains us but can fuel our vision, promise, and purpose — leading us to shelter one another. And yes, you can judge this book by its cover.”

— Sally Siller, Widow of Stephen Siller

“Long before most people knew the name Tunnel to Towers, Frank Siller was already building something extraordinary. I was proud to be there early — to lend my voice to their PSAs and do whatever small part I could — because Frank’s commitment to America’s heroes was impossible to say no to. This book is the story behind the mission, and it’s one every American should read.”

— Mark Wahlberg, Actor / Producer

Publication coincides with the 25th anniversary of September 11 and the Foundation’s Steel Across America tour, a national journey carrying steel from the World Trade Center to communities across the country. Frank Siller will mark the launch with national media appearances and a series of events throughout September.

Let Us Do Good goes on sale September 1, 2026, and is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold.

About the Book

Let Us Do Good by Frank Siller (Broadside Books / HarperCollins; on sale September 1, 2026). A memoir of family, faith, sacrifice, and service from the founder of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Visit T2T.org to learn more, and follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

About HarperCollins

HarperCollins Publishers is the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 15 countries. With more than 200 years of history and 120+ branded imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year in 16 languages and has a print and digital catalog of more than 250,000 titles. Writing across dozens of genres, HarperCollins authors include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery and Caldecott Medals, and the Man Booker Prize.

HarperCollins, headquartered in New York, is a subsidiary of News Corp (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) and can be visited online at corporate.harpercollins.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Caroline Magyarits

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Caroline.Magyarits@t2t.org

Cell: 201-658-1709

Theresa Dooley

HarperCollins Publishers

Theresa.Dooley@harpercollins.com

Cell: 616-370-4976