Tunnel to Towers Foundation Hosts First Never Forget Walk Parade & Barbecue
in Downtown Winchester Where Local Groups and Families of the Fallen Joined Together to
Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001
WINCHESTER, VA – On Saturday morning, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation held a parade and barbecue in Winchester, VA as a part of their signature event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, the Never Forget Walk: Following the Footsteps of the Fallen. The 537-mile walk is taking Chairman and CEO Frank Siller over 500 miles from Washington, D.C. to Manhattan, N.Y. to honor the heroism of our first responders who lost their lives on 9/11.
In Old Town Winchester, Siller was joined by families of fallen first responders, 1,000 community participants, and representatives from major sponsors including The Home Depot Foundation and GMC for a one-mile parade. Groups marching in the parade included VFW Post 2123, Team Rubicon USA, Heroes on the River, Strasburg Police Department, City of Winchester Pipes & Drums, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, City Council, Shawnee Fire Company, and the VFW Honor Guard.
Following the parade, the participants gathered behind Rouss City Hall for a ceremony that featured remarks from Siller, families of fallen first responders, Winchester Police Chief John Piper, Winchester Fire & Rescue Chief Jon Henschel, and Winchester City Administrator Dan Hoffman, among others. Clips from the ceremony can be viewed here.
“I’d walk to the end of the earth to make sure we never forget those great heroes that died on 9/11 and the families that were left behind. My promise and the Foundation’s promise is this: when you serve our country, or serve our communities, and you leave and give your kids a kiss goodbye and don’t come home, we are going to take care of your families left behind – or you give your body for our country, we are going to deliver you a mortgage-free home,” said Siller.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation Chairman and CEO Frank Siller joined News Talk 1400 for an exclusive interview following his public comments to discuss Winchester, VA as a part of their signature event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, the 537-mile Never Forget Walk: Following the Footsteps of the Fallen; the interview is available by clicking below.
During the ceremony, Siller highlighted the sacrifices of three families: Thomas Frazier, father of fallen Artesia Police Department Corporal Thomas Frazier; London Brown, who lost her fiance, firefighter and Senior Airman in the US Airforce Logan Young; and US Army Sergeant First Class Logan Brokaw. The Foundation is paying the mortgages for both the Frazier and Brown families and provided a smart home for Brokaw and his family. Both Frazier and Brown shared their appreciation for the Foundation’s assistance.
“It really helps all of us to know that [Allison and our grandchildren] have a place to stay,” said Frazier. “The house that they built there and were so proud of is all made possible because of the people that help and donate to Tunnel to Towers. And Mr. Siller and the organization that does so much…took us under their wing and treated us like family.”
“I have no words for how blessed our family feels to have met Frank and to have such a gift that we have from this Foundation,” said Brown. “I want to thank all first responders, everyone who served and I want to say we miss Logan.”
Both Chief Piper and Chief Henschel thanked Tunnel to Towers for their work supporting first responders and military in their local community.
“I am personally honored and humbled that Frank and his incredible organization chose Winchester as its first stop,” said Chief Piper. “Those of us who worked in public safety during 9/11 have vivid memories of that tragic day and how this country and the community rose from the ashes to what it’s become today.”
Chief Piper joined News Talk 1400 for an exclusive interview following his public comments, the interview is available by clicking below.
“This great organization has been around for a while. While the start was to recognize and remember those from 9/11, [Tunnel to Towers] evolved as such to now they’re helping military members, first responders across a broad spectrum of police and fire service. The work that they do is second to none,” said Chief Henschel.
Chief Henschel joined News Talk 1400 for an exclusive interview following his public comments, the interview is available by clicking below.
Following the events, Siller continued his walk, passing through Gainesboro, VA. Later this week, he will walk through Slanesville and Gore, West Virginia and continue across the Maryland border. Tunnel to Towers will host another parade featuring first responders, local officials, and residents on August 14 in Cumberland, MD.
For more information on the NEVER FORGET Walk, go to T2T.org/20-Anniversary.
About Tunnel to Towers Foundation
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. For 20 years the Foundation has supported our nation’s first responders, veterans, and their families by providing these heroes and the families they leave behind with mortgage-free homes. For more about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its commitment to DO GOOD, please visit T2T.org.
Follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @Tunnel2Towers.
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