By Nick Regina
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Each year, on the last Sunday of September, thousands of runners take part in the Tunnels To Towers 5k charity run. This year, Staten Island MTA police officer Anthony Camerada joined the fray at the starting line — garbed in his full uniform.
The event symbolizes and recreates Firefighter Stephen Siller’s final steps from the foot of the Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers on 9/11 and pays homage to the 343 FDNY firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers, and thousands of civilians who lost their lives that day. Proceeds from the event support the foundation’s programs, including those benefitting first responders, and catastrophically injured service members.
For Camerada, who looks to Siller as a role model, it was a chance to pay his respects to a man he calls a “hero”.
“Stephen Siller’s story has always been inspiring to me, and has weighed heavily on my decision of becoming a first-responder,” said Camerada. “There’s nothing more honorable than being willing to sacrifice your own life, to ensure the safety of others.
“Not only did I want to represent the MTAPD, but I wanted to honor the sacrifice of Stephen Siller and all the other heroes of September 11th, who ran toward the World Trade Centers 20 years ago, with the mindset to help others,” he added.
The starting line for Sunday’s run featured a slew of New York City’s finest and first responders from across the ranks, some who followed suit by wearing uniforms of their own.
“The atmosphere of the event was so surreal. From the moment I put that bib on and headed toward the starting line, it was a feeling that was indescribable,” explained Camerada. “Being surrounded by likeminded individuals, wearing all different department shirts and uniforms, I had the chills throughout my entire body.”
Camerada, who was only four-years-old and attending pre-school on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, remembers the feelings of helplessness. Now, he strides to make a difference in the city he serves and calls home.
“That feeling of uncertainty, and not being able to do anything to rectify the current situation at hand, evidently played a huge part in my choice to take the first-responder career path later on in life,” he said.
“To be in the position I am today, to make a difference in the community and to help those in need, is nothing short of a dream come true.
“While running through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, seeing the memorial banners of the fallen first-responders, and looking up at One World Trade Center in the distance, an uncontrollable amount of emotions began to weigh me down. All that I kept thinking about was, what was going through their minds that day? What was Stephen Siller’s final thoughts as he sprinted in full, firefighter gear toward those burning buildings? It was a very humbling experience — an experience that you have to witness for yourself.”
Camerada is also signed up to run the New York City Marathon under the Tunnels To Towers banner in November.
“This foundation is like no other, and I can’t thank them enough for all they do for the first-responder community. Since I started my campaign for Tunnel To Towers, I have currently raised over $6,000 in donations.
“Being just over a month away from representing them in the marathon, I will continue to do my part in bringing a positive change and impact toward the foundation,” he concluded.
Those interested in donating to Tunnels To Towers can do so through Camerada’s fundraiser by clicking here.
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