On September 29th, Team Harrow came together to celebrate our friend Ben Harrow at the Tunnel to Towers 5k. This event was created to honor the life and death of Stephen Siller and his FDNY brothers and sisters that lost their lives on 9/11. The course followed Siller’s route from the Tunnel to the Towers on that fateful day.
For us, it was not only a date to commemorate the victims of 9/11 but to honor the strength and determination of our friend Ben, my husband’s United States Military Academy classmate and Army Lacrosse teammate. In May 2012, we received the devastating news that Ben had been severely injured. While in Afghanistan, Ben stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED), losing both his legs above the knee and causing severe trauma to his hand and arm. Ben’s determination to get himself off pain medications and through rehabilitation has been downright amazing. His fight is like nothing I’ve ever witnessed before.
So, this year, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation are building a Smart Home for Ben, Gina, and their son Peyton. Team Harrow worked very hard to contribute to Ben, Gina and Peyton’s future smart home as we raised just shy of $50,000. And, I have to say that the United States Military Academy Army Lacrosse Team contributed quite a hefty amount to that total. After all, the Army Lax team captain raised over $8,000 himself! Talk about a dedicated group of guys. It was an honor to see them come together to support an Army Lacrosse alumnus.
While this race was clearly about supporting our friend, the actual run/walk was a very moving experience, especially as we made our way through the tunnel to retrace Siller’s steps. During the race, there were many firefighters and first responders wearing their gear, just as Stephen Siller did on September 11th. Knowing how hot I was in the tunnel only made me imagine how stifling it must have been for Siller as he made this journey and then trekked up the stairs of the Tower. During the race, as we exited the tunnel, the street was lined with firefighters holding signs to commemorate each one of the FDNY lives that was lost on 9/11. And, it was only fitting that we were able to finish very close to the site of the new One World Trade Center.
And, to lighten the mood a bit, these firefighters were out and about in the crowds post race. You are welcome for the eye candy!
Have you ever run the Tunnel to Towers race? Are you willing to donate to Ben’s new smart house? If so, please donate to BEN HARROW here! Thank you 🙂
Lisa
I'm sold on running this race! Those are some fine looking men! 😉
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