The brother of a fallen 9/11 firefighter finished his 537-mile honorary walk from Washington DC to New York City on Saturday in honor of those who lost their lives in the terror attacks 20 years ago.
Frank Siller walked from the Pentagon to Ground Zero through Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to honor his brother, who rushed to the Twin Towers on 9/11 on his day off, as well as all the others who died in the three terror attacks.
He began at the pentagon, where American Airlines Flight 77 hit at 9.37am on September 11, killing 64 on the plane and 125 in the building. From there, he walked to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Flight 93 crashed after its 44 passengers overpowered the four hijackers on board. The plane is believed to have been heading towards the White House or Pentagon and killed 40 people.
Siller's youngest brother had been due to play golf in New Jersey with his siblings on the day of the tragedy, but drove back towards Manhattan after the planes hit.
He had to stop his car in the jammed Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, and ran through the rest of the portal with 60lbs of gear on his back, racing toward the burning Twin Towers.
Frank Siller (left) finished his 537 miles from Washington D.C. to New York City on Saturday. Siller walked in honor of his brother Stephen (right), who died at 34 after he ran toward the Twin Towers
Siller listened to music as he walked along the roadway as he continued forward in his long journey. Since the death of his brother, Siller and his family have worked hard to keep doing good things as they moved forward
Siller (center) starting the 'Never Forget' memorial walk in Arlington, Virginia, near the Pentagon is walking to honor his brother in the only way he knew how
Siller gives a thumbs up as he nears the Manhattan skyline on the last bit of his journey
As Siller (middle) approached the Freedom Tower today he thought of his brother. 'I'm going to see the Freedom Tower and look at what he saw: the Twin Towers on fire,' he said
Stephen had just gotten off his shift where he was assigned at Brooklyn Squad 1 but turned back around to help after two jets slammed into the World Trade Center.
Stephen called his wife as he ran back to grab his gear and drove the firetruck to Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to find it had been shut down for security purposes. He took off running through the tunnel.
'He ran through that tunnel, came out the other side and saw a horrific scene,' Siller told
Siller (center front) neared the West Virginia line on his walk. His brother was on his way to go golfing with Siller and their other brother after getting off work in 2001. He called his wife to tell her to cancel his plans as he ran back to Brooklyn Squad 1 station to grab his gear and drive toward Manhattan
