9/11 hero's memory preserved through massive effort to 'do good' for vets, first responders: 'His legacy'

Since its founding, inspired by Siller and his favorite quote, "While we have time, let us do good," Tunnel to Towers has provided more than 1,700 mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen service members and first responders, as well as to disabled veterans and first responders. The organization has also delivered housing assistance and support services to more than 20,000 homeless veterans and holds hundreds of events nationwide to honor America's heroes and preserve the memory of those who lost their lives for future generations.

Siller, however, has vowed that "Tunnel to Towers will never let that happen."

The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute has helped to educate students from kindergarten through 12th grade on the "extraordinary heroism and goodness of everyday people" on Sept. 11, "while demonstrating the strength and resilience of America's spirit." Its mobile 9/11 exhibit has traveled to nearly all 50 states as well as Canada.

This year, Tunnel to Towers launched its "Steel Across America" display, in which a 16,000-pound steel beam pulled from the wreckage of the World Trade Center traveled more than 10,500 miles to 35 stops across 21 states and the District of Columbia, culminating in New York City.

This initiative builds on Tunnel to Towers' "In the Line of Duty Programs," which have provided more than 1,700 mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen service members and first responders, as well as to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. More than 220 of those homes have been custom "Smart Homes," modified to be fully accessible to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

In a recent Fox News opinion piece, Siller put it simply: "Stephen's life and heroic death serve as a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and to spend our time here on earth doing good-this is his legacy."