Let Us Do Good

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ~Genesis 50:20

While we have time, let us do good. ~St. Francis of Assissi

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the horror that was 9/11.  Like so many of you, my memories of that tragic day are as crystal clear as if the event occurred only days ago.  It is a moment in time that forever changed our country and the world in ways we could never have imagined, and in its wake, propelled us into wars against terrorists who still see America and Western civilization as the enemies to this day.

The Siller family lost their youngest sibling, Stephen, on that fateful day.  He was a dedicated husband, father and firefighter in New York City at the time.  Stephen had just completed the night shift and was preparing to return home when the first plane struck.  Instead of retreating, he ran through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, intent upon saving as many lives as he possibly could.

Tragically, like thousands of others, his own life was taken from him that day.

The Sillers, like so many others, were devastated by this unimaginable  loss, not just for themselves, but for the countless thousands adversely affected.  Stephen's brother, Frank, had a vision to create something worthy that would honor all those who perished on 9/11 and keep the memory of his little brother, and the earth-shattering event, alive for all who cannot afford to forget.

Let Us Do Good tells how the Tunnel to Towers Foundation came to be as a result of Stephen's sacrifice.  For those of you unfamiliar with T2T, it is a charitable organization that pays off the mortgages of families with small children whose husband or wife perishes in the line of duty.  Started initially to help first responders, their mission has expanded to include Gold Star families and building handicap-accessible, mortgage-free homes for disabled veterans, police and firefighters.  In recent years, the foundation has acquired and refurbished hotels in various cities around the country to get homeless veterans off the street and give each one the help, healing, counseling, and community to help them reenter society.

Frank says his family owes their unswerving dedication to duty and service to the way his parents, Mae and George, raised each of the seven children.  It makes perfect sense, then, that out of the ashes of Stephen's death a phoenix of hope would arise in his memory, spreading genuine love and comfort to those who have lost loved ones who have so bravely served this country.

I highly recommend Frank's book, especially as the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is fast approaching.  You can order your copy from Amazon HERE.

And if you would like to join the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as a monthly contributor, I hope you will consider doing so.  Danny and I each give the suggested $11 per month.  It isn't an imposing amount for most families, and it's this continued participation by millions of us that will support those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms long into the future.

Let us do good while we can.

Amen!