It's a Twin's Life: Tunnel to Towers: Remembering 9.11.01

It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since our country was under attack. We have been watching a lot of documentaries and personal accounts of what went on that tragic day. I'm sure you remember just where you were and what you were doing when you found out the news. What a sad day for America.

Tim and I decided to honor our country's heroes by participating in a 5k in downtown San Antonio. Tim's company, Gehan Homes, was a corporate sponsor for the event. A couple of Tim's coworkers and friends joined us. There was a memorial service before the race began right in front of the Alamo.

The memorial 5k was called Tunnel to Towers. It was started in memory of a NYC firefighter, Stephen Siller.

Here is the background information from the race website:

On September 11, 2001, Stephen Stiller, having worked all night was off duty when he heard the first plane had hit the Twin Towers. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear, then took his final heroic steps to the World Trade Center. When he drove his truck to Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, it was already closed to traffic. With sixty pounds of gear strapped to his back, he ran through the tunnel, hoping to meet up with his own company. Stephen was killed that day, along with 342 other firefighters and 3000 others.

The Stephen Siller Foundation hosts memorial runs, golf tournaments, and other events to raise money to help support children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

Here we are getting ready before the race. Check out our new Bob double jogging stroller! I love it! We attached Rhett's car seat to it....and Rhys rode in the regular stroller seat. Since Rhett doesn't have great control of his head yet, we wanted him to have a little more support. It won't be long and he will be able to sit right next to his sweet sister!

Rhys getting ready!

Rhett is ready to go!

Before the race started, Amazing Grace was played on bagpipes. It was very touching. There was also a moment of silence at the exact moment that the planes hit the World Trade Center.

Our family before the race

Since Tim's company was a sponsor, a couple of his coworkers joined us for the race. Good friends Frank, Will, and Uncle Mike all ran the 5k.

Frank, the twins, and me

our group (minus Tim)

Frank, Will, Rhett, Rhys, me, and Uncle Mike

the starting line

Time for the race to begin! There were many firefighters who ran the race, and they all wore their complete set of gear to honor Stephen Siller. It looked heavy and hot! Tim and I started in the back so that we wouldn't get in the runners' way with our big ole' stroller!

just starting out...

There were two firetrucks parked on the street with this giant American flag waving between them. It was really neat to see.

The city was also loaned an actual piece of the World Trade Center to have on display during the race.

a piece of the WTC

half way there!

this is hard work!

And we made it! The twins did great and actually slept most of the way! I was worried that they might get too hot, but there was a lot of shade along the course route. Tim and I walked most of the race with the stroller, but we did run a couple of times. The stroller was so easy to push....I am looking forward to lots of runs this fall when it gets cooler!