Service members run to honor Sept. 11 fallen and 1st responders

News: Service members run to honor Sept. 11 fallen and 1st responders

411th Engineer Brigade

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Story by Staff Sgt. Derek M. Smith Subscribe To This Journalist

Staff Sgt. Derek M. Smith

Service members run by the midway point of the Stephen Siller Foundation Tunnel to Tower Run at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 11. The foundation is named after New York Firefighter Stephen Siller who fell in the line of duty on 9/11.

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Service members paid homage to first responders and fallen heroes by taking part in the Stephen Siller Foundation Tunnel to Towers 5K shadow run at Bagram Air Field, Sept. 11, 2012.

The run was sponsored by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower foundation, which is dedicated to the legacy of New York firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life on Sept. 11. The foundation has established “In the Line of Duty” for firefighters, first responders and military members, as well as “Legacy of Love” programs to assist children who have lost both parents. It is the organization’s goal “to follow in Siller’s footsteps of selflessness and love by ‘doing good’ in his memory.”

The FDNY firefighter was caught in traffic in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel on the tragic day. The husband and father of 5 children strapped on his gear and ran from the tunnel to the World Trade Center to help victims of the attack. Siller entered the towers, never to return.

Half a world away and 11 years later, service members gathered under another clear morning sky under a banner which bore the image of a hero who none there had met. Similarly, at various locations and dates around Afghanistan, more service members would do the same with their own shadow runs of the actual run held in New York City, Sept. 30.

Staff Sgt. David Shatas, 411th Engineer Brigade chaplain’s assistant, Joint Task Force Empire, the driving force behind the event, coordinated with foundation organizers in New York. The 411th En. Bde. Is based out of New Windsor, N.Y. and named the task force after “The Empire State.” Shatas, a Terryville, Conn., native, said as a firefighter with the Waterbury, Conn. Fire Department, this event held special meaning.

“It means a lot to me to be with my brothers out here,” said Shatas. “To [hold this event] in Afghanistan is huge. It felt great. It’s good to see everybody get together and have a good time.”

Shatas recalled how sitting in his station on that fateful morning 11 years ago, and being at Ground Zero shortly after for the rescue and clean-up effort shortly thereafter, solidified his desire to serve. The Army Reserve soldier and civilian first responder encourages everyone to “get involved.”

“To do something like this is a really good feeling,” explained Shatas. “It’s a great thing to do ... helping with [the foundation’s] charities.”

Shatas’ brethren in the Bagram Air Field Fire Dept. came out in force to support the event. Fire trucks led the procession out of the starting line, down the streets of the post. Bagram firefighters ran in their gear in further tribute to Stephen Siller.

That day of tragedy forged a new spirit in many Americans. This event mirrored this spirit in a variety of ways. Sombreness was tempered by laughter. Silence was contrasted by music and cheers. Smiles were framed in tears. Participants shared in an ideal that this was about more than a run. It was a tribute to service and sacrifice.

For one Soldier in particular, the event held more significance than his easy-going demeanor and quick wit would imply.

Staff Sgt. Michael Murphy, movement noncommisioned officer-in-charge, reflected on events after the run. Murphy serves as a New York Police Department detective and was on duty the morning of Sept. 11. He served that day, and for weeks after in the rescue and clearance efforts. His accounts of the aftermath are beyond comprehension for most Americans who did not witness the events firsthand. Murphy said this event was important, as it reminded service members of why they serve.

“[Remembrance] is important to the families and the people that were lost that day,” said the Slate Hill, N.Y., resident. “I thought this was a great depiction of that. They’re not forgotten 11 years later. They can see after all that time we still remember.”

Murphy’s tale is one of devastation, of tragedy and sadness, of eerie scenes and of a feeling of helplessness. It is a tale of first responders trying to desperately to help, but fighting circumstances none had expected. It is also a story of unrelenting will.

“Your natural response as a first responder is to run into the mess,” Murphy explained. “When stuff goes down, you don’t run for the bunker; you run the opposite way while everyone else is running for the bunker.”

Murphy remained at Ground Zero in the exhausting search for survivors. His sense of duty and dedication to friends and co-workers carried him through the effort and stay with him to this day. He recalls finding his buddy’s truck and that buddy’s spouse waiting for days to get closure on her husband’s fate - story mirrored by his recollection of the thousands of people waiting to receive word of their loved ones lost.

“When I think of 9/11, I think of the families ... the thousands and thousands of people lining up on the west side highway waiting to see if their loved ones got caught in the rubble.”

Murphy proudly donned the blue event t-shirt adorned with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower logo as he stood beside fellow service members to honor service and sacrifice. The service members formed a sea of blue to match the morning sky of this September morning – and one 11 years ago.

Why did these men and women take part in the event?

“Just to tell the families that we didn’t forget,” answered Murphy. “Every year and every chance we get, remind them we will not forget ...because they will never forget.”

For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation, go to: www.tunneltotowersrun.org