[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 112 (Thursday, July 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF THE SILLER FAMILY, A TRIBUTE TO TUNNEL TO TOWERS

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL G. GRIMM

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2014

  Mr. GRIMM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Siller Family 
who lost their youngest brother, Stephen, of the FDNY's Squad One on 9/
11. On the morning of 9/11 Stephen was off-duty when he heard the news. 
He quickly radioed in and told Squad One he would join them back at the 
Towers. When he got to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel it was closed, so he 
strapped on sixty pounds of gear and ran through traffic towards and up 
and into the Towers to rejoin his FDNY brothers and help save others. 
Stephen was never seen or heard from again. His courage and sacrifice 
are a true reflection of all those who died on that day, and of our 
troops, who are willing to give that last full measure for us all. And 
out of all this heartache, his family has created a magnificent 
foundation to raise money to build homes for our Wounded Warriors and 
get families back on their feet after Hurricane Sandy; triumph out of 
tragedy. Stephen left behind a wonderful wife and five beautiful 
children, our prayers go out to them and all of those families who gave 
all on 9/11. I submit this poem penned in their honor by Albert Carey 
Caswell.

                            Tunnel to Towers

     As into that tunnel your heart so led!
     Running through traffic up into those towers you sped!
     While Stephen,
     Getting closer to Heaven with every step!
     All out there on that edge . . .
     Between life and death . . .
     As your fine heart began to crest!
     For our world to bless!
     But for The Greater Good!
     Stephen you,
     And Squad One in all you could!
     ``Go Together . . . Stay Together'',
     to catch up to them as you would!
     To do what must so be done!
     While, so willing to give up all of your future sun's!
     Just like all of our brave men and women,
     Of The Armed Forces these ones!
     To shine bright like America's son!
     So brilliant like this one!
     While, all in that moment of truth . . .
     What your fine heart so begun!
     Showing us all so the proof!
     Of how angels are begun!
     As thy kingdom come,
     On Earth as it is in Heaven will be done!
     And from that tunnel to towers . . .
     While, all in those darkest of all hours!
     Stephen,
     As upon us your light would so shower!
     Because,
     On this day you weren't coming home my son!
     As such selflessness so shown in all these ones!
     Just like our men and women who live now without arms and 
           legs,
     Who from war come home this day!
     Showing us all,
     That through darkest of all hours!
     It's Faith, Hope, and Courage which above all else so towers!
     And holds the greatest of all powers!
     As Stephen,
     Step by step your climbed those towers!
     Alongside all of your Brothers,
     As the Angels on high cried in those 
           hours . . .
     You go . . . I go . . .
     As was your most heroic creed and its power!
     To save precious lives!
     As why here I stand with tear in eye!
     And up to heaven as a new Angel you'd rise!
     And from out of all of this heartache and pain!
     Of a broken hearted family love so came . . .
     Out of the ashes which would remain!
     Your family's great love,
     Something which would so honor your name!
     To give back to all of our Brothers and Sisters In Arms!
     And to all of those American families who must go off to war,
     And come back in such heartache and harm the same!
     A chance,
     To rebuild all of their most precious lives to reclaim!
     For you have died Stephen,
     But you are not gone!
     Now all in your name and memory,
     This Foundation lives on . . .
     Yes Stephen,
     In your honor look what was born!
     Which, but put's its arms around all of our wounded warriors 
           so warm!
     Because moments are all we so have!
     To live and die for something worthwhile!
     And make all of the Angels up in Heaven so smile!
     To climb to the mountain top!
     To move onward when others stop!
     As why on bended knee Stephen all in your name,
     And your brothers who died with you the same . . .
     We honor our troops who like you were so ready to die in 
           faith's name!
     For all of those heroes,
     Who come back home to rebuild their shattered lives!
     To give them all a future,
     A warm home,
     And some hope so all inside!
     Telling them hero your not alone!
     As they run to recovery proving a home!
     As we discover how like yours Stephen,
     How much strength a heart can so own!
     When Johnny comes marching home!
     Tunnel to Towers,
     Will be there for your America's heroes throughout all of the 
           hours!
     Just like 9/11,
     We Will Never Forget what all your hearts so own!
     So our Brothers and Sisters,
     Our wounded warriors . . . you will never be alone!

                          ____________________