POTTSVILLE— The brother of a fallen New York Firefighter who died Sept. 11, 2001, discussed his selfless devotion to duty and the organization formed in his memory to help others at an event in Pottsville on Friday.
Frank Siller, chairman, CEO and president of Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit formed in honor of his brother Stephen Siller — who helped saved lives that fateful day in New York City — was at Bob Weaver Auto for a service member appreciation event.
Pottsville Police Chief John Morrow, Pottsville Fire Chief James Misstishin Sr. and Minersville Police Chief Jeffrey Bowers were among the approximate 75 people attending the 11 a.m. free event.
Bob Weaver Auto donated a $100,000 check to the organization, an increase from a 2023 donation of $50,000. The money will help fun an ADA compliant smart home, mortgage free, for members of the U.S. Armed forces in need.
“It’s a fantastic organization,” Jake Weaver, president of Bob Weaver Auto said.
The organization has additional programs to assist first responders and others. More information is available at t2t.org.
Siller’s brother had finished his shift as a Brooklyn firefighter when he heard reports of planes hitting the World Trade Center on his radio scanner .
“What do first responders do? What does our military do? They run towards danger and they never run away,” Siller said.
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Frank Siller, founder of Tunnel to Towers, speaks about the work his organization does while at an event at Bob Weaver Auto in Pottsville, Pa., Friday Jan. 10, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Frank Siller, founder of Tunnel to Towers, speaks about the work his organization does while at an event at Bob Weaver Auto in Pottsville, Pa., Friday Jan. 10, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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Frank Siller, founder of Tunnel to Towers, speaks about the work his organization does while at an event at Bob Weaver Auto in Pottsville, Pa., Friday Jan. 10, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
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His brother ran through a tunnel closed to traffic to fulfil his duty, eventually reaching Ground Zero.
“My brother was never recovered,” he said.
The memories of that day are still fresh.
“We all remember that day, 9/11,” he said. “Exactly where you were. Exactly what you were doing. You will never forget because it changed the world.”