Through our recent Tunnel to Towers Run - Detroit we were able to raise enough funds to send two Michigan first responders to the national Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run in New York City on September 25th.

We are honored to be able to send Deputy Brian Salenik and Deputy Shawn Wilson, both of the Oakland County Sheriff's Department to New York City for the National Tunnel to Towers run being held on September 25. Deputy Salenik is currently a fire investigator with Oakland County having served at the National Security Agency after the 9/11 attacks. He is retired from the Army National Guard: he served in Desert Storm. Deputy Wilson is a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, and currently serves as a reservist. He has completed two tours in Iraq. Both Deputy Salenik and Deputy Wilson traveled to New York City to help with the rescue efforts at ground zero in 2001. Detective Salenik has also shared his photos of the National Run in New York City.

The NYC race retraces the final steps of Stephen Siller, NYFD. Stephen had just gotten off the late shift at Squad 1, Park Slope, Brooklyn on September 11, 2001, when he heard the dispatch and quickly decided to go to the scene to offer help. He found that the Battery Park tunnel from Brooklyn to Manhattan was closed to vehicle traffic, so he ran the 3+ miles, carrying sixty pounds of gear, to the World Trade Center, where he and too many other first responders lost their lives.

We wish Deputies Wilson and Salenik safe travels and a safe and meaningful run. More information about the Stephen Siller Foundation and the national run can be found at their website: http://www.tunneltotowersrun.org/stephen_siller.aspx

The memories of September 11, 2001 are often a burden borne silently and respectfully. Sadly, those memories are fading, even though the wounds are still fresh for those that lost loved ones. The monies raised by the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund will be used to ensure these memories are not lost.

The Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund will serve to provide for a physical memorial in our state to recognize all those from Michigan that died, and to honor the brave men and women who died savings those from Michigan who escaped. In addition to providing for a physical memorial, the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund will undertake a recording of the history from events of September 11, 2001, as experienced by Michiganians.

Those who wish to share their stories from that day can do so online, or by emailing MichiganRemembers@gmail.com. Stories and monetary donations can also be submitted by mail to:

The Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund
1555 Watertower Place, Suite 100
East Lansing, Michigan 48823

The fund is a registered non-profit corporation with the State of Michigan, and qualifies as a private operating foundation to which donations are deductible as allowed under section 501(c)(3) of federal tax laws.