Two go in full gear from Tunnel to Towers
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Three Manville firefighters joined an estimated 25,000 others in retracing the route of an off-duty New York City firefighter who responded to the World Trade Center terror attack in Sept. 11, 2001.
They were part of Sunday’s fund-raising Tunnel to Towers 5-kilometer run or walk that went through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and emptied out two blocks from Ground Zero that day.
To understand the struggle and steps of the New York City firefighter, Stephen Siller, who died trying to help others that on 9-11, two of the three Manville men jogged and walked the route the way Mr. Siller did — in full turnout gear.
Fire Company No. 2 colleagues Seamus O’Donnell, 22, and David Tarby, 19, put on their leather boots, sturdy plastic helmet and heavy reflective jacket and pants and ran as much of the route as possible. They began the event with Scott Stapleton of Fire Co. No. 3, who ran the course in shorts and fire company T-shirt.
Mr. O’Donnell and Mr. Tarby stayed together for the race, finishing about 40 seconds shy of an hour. The next day, Mr. O’Donnell laughed about a lot about enduring chafes and skin friction.
”It was definitely hot, especially down in the tunnel with other people running,” said Mr. O’Donnell.
It was a good time, though, he said. He said he was proud to join fellow firefighters to raise money for the families of first responders. The event raised an estimated $2 million for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which has raised more than $35 million for causes that include helping wounded soldiers.
Mr. O’Donnell said he learned about the event only a few weeks ago, and hoped to interest more fellow fighters in participating next year.