At the beginning of the year, I was thrilled to join the Tunnel to Towers Young Professional Network (YPN). Tunnel to Towers is an incredible foundation which helps America's heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
On June 2nd, alongside the YPN team, I will be climbing to the top of One World Trade Center (104 flights of stairs) not only to raise money for T2T but to celebrate the life and sacrifice of all 9/11 heroes. This year, the YPN team is climbing in memory of Donald McIntyre, PAPD.
Officer Donald McIntyre was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center. He had been assisting victims evacuate the first tower when the second tower was struck. He immediately went to the second tower and was assisting with evacuating the 32nd floor when the tower collapsed. McIntyre is survived by his wife, Jeanine and their children Caitlyn, Donald, Jr. and Lauren, who was born on November 27th, 2001. A devoted father, Donald had planned to take the month of December off for paternity leave. He played an active role at home, cooking dinner most nights, running errands, and shopping for his children’s clothes.
To many of you, it is no surprise that supporting first responder and military heroes is near to my heart; not only am I a proud New Yorker, but I have many family members who have served our country, including my Dad (retired USCG) and my brother, Andrew (active duty USCG).
I've included information below about the T2T NYC Tower Climb and the origin of Tunnels to Towers. T2T was founded in memory of Stephen Siller FDNY who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001.
Thank you in advance for the support!
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Each year since 2015, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has held the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb NYC at One World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York City. One thousand participants climb 104 stories, symbolizing strength, hope and the resiliency of the American spirit.
The event celebrates the life and sacrifice of all 9/11 heroes, including FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and FDNY Captain Billy Burke.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller, a FDNY firefighter assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers. He suddenly got word over his scanner that an airplane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers. There, he gave up his life while saving others.
Captain William F. Burke, Jr. and his men were on the 27th floor of the North Tower when the South Tower collapsed. Billy immediately alerted the Captain of Ladder Co. 6 and the Officer of Ladder Co. 24, his original company, of the collapse. They, along with their men, immediately evacuated along with a number of civilians they were assisting, all surviving. Minutes later the North Tower collapsed and Billy perished along with the other innocents on September 11, 2001. He selflessly repeated, “keep going, I’m right behind you,” to keep his men moving to safety.
The view from One World Observatory at the top of One World Trade Center is nothing short of spectacular. After making the emotional climb, participants explore expansive, panoramic views in every direction from a unique perspective. One of the major highlights, of course, is viewing the two reflecting pools that mark the footprints of where the Twin Towers once stood.
