“For The Love of Their Brother,” a documentary about the struggles and triumphs of the Siller family after the 9/11 death of their brother, New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, is set to air on 250 public TV stations on the 15th anniversary of the attacks.
The one-hour film documentary features never before seen footage of the immediate aftermath of the planes hitting the tower and chronicles the events of 9/11 and what happened to Stephen on that fateful day. It also follows the efforts of his older siblings after Stephen’s death to celebrate his life and carry on his spirit of service through a unique 5K run and foundation, The Tunnel To Towers, dedicated to his memory.
Produced by 3 Roads Communications, Inc. and presented and distributed nationally by American Public Television (APT), the one-hour program premiers on public television stations nationwide beginning September 4th, 2016 (check local listings).
Stephen Siller was on his way hone to Staten Island from work when he heard a call on his scanner that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. Stephen turned his truck around but only made it as far as the mouth of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel because of abandoned vehicles. Unable to drive any further, he donned 65 pounds of fire gear and ran a mile-and-a half through the tunnel. He managed to reach the second tower just minutes before it collapsed, perishing in its wake.
Stephen was orphaned at the age of 10 and was raised by his brothers and sisters. He left behind a wife and five children. His story has since become legend in the newsrooms and firehouses of New York. The documentary focuses not only on Stephen’s heroic actions on September 11th, but also on the heroic actions of his six siblings in the months and years afterwards, who heal themselves by doing good for others through their foundation. They stage an annual charity 5K run to follow in Stephen’s footsteps and to commemorate the heroism of all first responders.
For the past 15 years on the last Sunday in September, the Battery Tunnel and lower Manhattan have closed, and tens of thousands of runners have retraced the steps of a hero. In the process, the Siller family has raised $70 million for various charities, including the New York Foundling Home, the New York Burn Center, and the building of specifically adapted “Smart Homes” for severely wounded veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. “For The Love of Their Brother” details the ongoing work of the Foundation to honor the spirit and service of their brother.
