SEMINOLE, Fla. — More than 1,500 people participated in the 13th Tunnel to Towers Foundation run on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs.

The Tunnel to Towers run honors the sacrifice of Stephen Siller, a Brooklyn firefighter who ran from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, with 60 pounds of gear on his back to help save others. 

The annual Tunnel to Towers run remembers the first responders who gave everything on September 11, 2001, and the days after, for their fellow Americans.

“We made the commitment that this is why this event is important. We want to remember and never forget those who lost their lives and have continued to sacrifice for us,” said volunteer Kyle Albano.

Event organizers said they had the biggest turnout this year, with at least 200 Central Florida first responders participating.

Among them was Anthony Bowman, a lieutenant with the Seminole County Fire Department, who ran in his own gear.

“Once you start adding everything like our air packs, carrying all of our gear, you are looking at about 75, 80 pounds,” said Bowman.

Bowman said putting on his gear brings him a sense of pride and reminds him of those who wore it before him.

“We share the same profession. We do the same sort of thing, and to be able to be part of that group is an incredible feeling,” he said. 

Bowman was 18-years-old on September 11, 2001. He was inside a bank when he heard what happened.

“I noticed on one of their TVs that a plane had crashed into the Twin Towers. I went back home. I turned the news on and I was just absolutely consumed with what was going on and learning about what events had led up to this and the sacrifice that the first responder made leading up to that day,” said Bowman.

Bowman said that event changed his life forever, and led him down a path to a career as a firefighter.

“I have always had a passion for wanting to help people and to interact with the community, and this is a great way to do that. Seeing the overwhelming response from the fire department to such a tragedy, the selfless acts that were given that day really impacted my life as an 18-year-old and said this is the path that I want to continue on down,” said Bowman.

Bowman, a 19-year veteran Seminole County firefighter, said he trains for the Tunnel to Towers run every year to not only give back to those who have served, but to remember why he became a firefighter.

“We have this gear on and we are participating in it. It just makes us feel that much greater to be able to serve others the way they served those on 9/11,” said Bowman. “It just puts it into perspective, that these type of things can happen and it helps me to keep going every day that we have a profession, that by serving people, we are ready to give that ultimate sacrifice.”

Bowman feels that what happened on 9/11, connects all first responders, making it their duty to never forget the heroes that were forged that day, and uplift the families they left behind.

“We are there in support of them. We are showing our love towards them and no matter what we do, it is not going to make that situation any easier. But we hope to let them know, ‘Hey, we are here and we are behind you every step of the way,’” he said.

Money raised by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation through events like this run helps American heroes by providing mortgage free homes to gold star and fallen first responder families with children and by building smart homes for veterans. For more information about the work they do, or to donate, click here.