#39 Tunnels to Towers

"What you do for yourself, goes with you when you die.  What you do for others, remains as your legacy."

These were the opening words of the #39 5K held at Spring Grove Cemetery.  Sponsored by the Steven Siller Foundation, this 5K honored the 343 firefighters and first responders who were killed in New York City on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center buildings. One of the many projects the Foundation supports is funding "Smart Homes" with adaptive technology for firefighters who suffer a catastrophic injury. 

Steve Siller was off duty and heading out to play golf with his three brothers when the call came in.  The World Trade Center had been hit.  He, and his fellow firefighters, rushed into the fray of the burning buildings.  Everyone else is rushing out.  He died when the towers collapsed, leaving a wife, five children, a large extended family and a brotherhood of fellow firefighters. 

One of the race participants, Geniene, told me that the last piece of the race was difficult.  She was right.

The final quarter mile of the race route has posters with pictures of each individual firefighter who lost their life on that day, including Steven Siller.    I was struck by how young they were.  And how many.  It went on and on.  Average age of NYC firefighter killed on September 11th was just under 40 years old.  Towards the end of the line were two additional posters with pictures of the two local Colerain Township firefighters who lost their lives in a house fire in 2008.

I have been to several races at Spring Grove, but none as moving as this one.  I, like everyone else, remember where I was when I heard the news of the terrorist attacks and the aftermath of the following days, weeks and months as crews cleared the debris from the wreckage sites.  I remember the numbness.  And the patriotism.  It felt good to participate in an event that honors individuals who put their lives on the line on a daily basis.

Full gear weighs an additional 30 pounds

Many of the participants ran in full gear, as a tribute to their fallen colleagues.  The day wasn't unbearably hot and I was determined to keep the fireman running just ahead of me within my sight.  He was running in full gear and tank on his back. And he still managed to beat me.  As Jo, so graciously pointed out, he was no spring chicken. It was demoralizing.  
Hey, I'm ahead of everyone on the couch.  And those people pushing the stroller...  and those little kids over there.  And the elderly couple who turned back and didn't finish.  I beat them too.