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Tunnel to Towers Run Commemorates 9/11 Fire Fighters

  • Published
  • By MC2 David Quillen
  • 438th AEW PA
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Nearly 400 personnel from both the NATO Air Training Command- Afghanistan, 15 NATO countries and the Afghan Air Force participated in the "Tunnel to Towers" run/walk race on Sep. 24, 2010 held on the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan Air Force base in Kabul, Afghanistan.

"We come together today as a testament to our resolve...The Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and fellow patriots of freedom from all corners of the earth... gathered in the heart of Afghanistan to honor and pay tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice since that tragic day," said Technical Sergeant Arthur A. Barad of the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, NATC-A.

The race was to commemorate the arduous run made by New York City Firefighter Stephen Siller, who, during the events of 9/11 picked up his gear weighing 75 pounds and ran to the twin towers from tunnels nearly three miles away and perished alongside his fellow firefighters in the attempt to save lives.

Seven service members ran in firefighter gear and another 50 individuals ran in full military uniform, battle armor, and weapon. Among the highlights of the race was a combined effort by Navy, Marine, Air Force, and Army service members who carried a piece of steel from the Twin Towers on a litter.

The significance of the piece of steel was put into words by Barad. "What lies on this litter before you is an actual cut away from the steel support beams that served as the foundation to New York City's beloved World Trade Center towers. Severely damaged but not completely destroyed, it continues to serve its purpose here... as a foundation to the beliefs that holds our coalition together and in keeping our alliance strong."
In a ceremony held after the race the piece of steel was placed in a memorial on the grounds of the AAF base and will stay there until the completion of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, as Barad explains.
"Make no mistake about it... this is not its final resting place. Upon successful completion of our mission, we ask the last serving U.S. Forces First Sergeant who leaves what we believe will be an independent Afghanistan, to simply return this important piece of America...HOME."