East End Warriors Raise More Than $9K To Honor 9/11 Heroes

CUTCHOGUE, NY — Inner grit and fierce determination to honor the heroes of 9/11 led to a huge outcome for the East End Warriors, who have so far raised $9,025, with donations still pouring in.

"It was amazing this year," said Debbie Horton, of Cutchogue, who, along with her team, the East End Warriors, trained tirelessly to participate in the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb NYC on June 4.

On any given day, Horton and teammates could be seen climbing the steps at Horton Point Lighthouse, exhausted but determined with the goal of honoring those lost.

Horton said she wants to thank everyone who reached out this year with "donations, love, encouragement and support."

Despite the arduous training, she said, "All of our members vowed to return next year and bring more onboard."

The experience is emotional but also uplifting, Horton said.

"Although being back to the memorial pool brings back the emotions of that horrific day back in 2001, seeing hundreds of men and women giving it everything they have within them to make it up those 2,226 steps — working so hard fundraising, and training physically as much as possible — makes this event so worthwhile. Humanity is alive again in my world."

For months, they trained tirelessly, a steady line of fiercely devoted East End Warriors teammates running and climbing the 103 stairs at Horton Point Lighthouse in Southold, gaining endurance and inner strength to prepare for the physically exhausting but emotionally rewarding event.

The event benefits the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation; the foundation was founded by the Siller family to honor the memory of their brother Stephen, a New York City firefighter who lost his life on September 11, 2001 "after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers," the event's site explains.

"The goal of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is to continue Stephen's legacy by supporting our nation's first responders and service members. Building for America's Bravest, a proud program of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, constructs specially adapted smart homes for our most catastrophically injured service members. In January 2015, the Foundation also raised over one million dollars to fully pay off the mortgages for the families of slain NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Luis Ramos," the site said.

Horton kicked off fundraising efforts for East End Warriors with a CrowdRise campaign, honoring Capt. Billy Burke.

Training for the event is something Horton took seriously; it may have been her fourth year but she remains as dedicated as ever to the critical mission.

"This is my fourth year and each year I say the same thing, 'Why am I doing this again?' Then comes the day of the event when the knot in your stomach tightens and you look up at that massive tower and say, 'Oh, my God, how am I going to do this again this year — and why?'"

But as she climbs, Horton remembers the reason that propels her forward. "I can't help but think of all the people that supported this event and what it means to them. You can't stop thinking about all the men and women that have lost so much since 9/11 and those who continue to lose because of the service that they offer to our country. Servicemen and women. Firefighters. Police officers. What they've sacrificed as well as their families — it's what keeps you going," she said.

When participants finally reach the top after all the training and fundraising is over, there's time for reflection. "It's a bittersweet moment. But for obvious reasons, more sweet than bitter," she said.

This year, the East End Warriors team had 20 "extraordinary" members, including two of Horton's daughters, her sister, her nephew, and many dear friends from near and far who met the night before the event. Horton said she's recruited locals and out of state family and friends to join the team, which has grown steadily over the years.

Although arduous training is critical, because participants climb to the top of the Freedom Tower in New York City — a daunting feat that's an exercise in fortitude and faith.

The experiences she's had at the event have been life-altering, Horton said.

During a past event, Horton said, "I met a double amputee soldier somewhere on one of the higher floors who was resting. I asked if he was okay and he said he was just taking a breather. But then he thanked me . . . he thanked me. He risked his life and limbs, yet he thanked me. It turned out he was one of the people whose house was being built. Then, he said, 'Keep going, I'm right behind you.'"

The words echoed with meaning.

Those same words were uttered often during the event, and they are, Horton said, the reason "why we raise money and climb."

Those words resonate with the memory of Capt. William "Billy" F. Burke, Jr., of Plainview, who had served 20 years and was captain of Engine Co. 21 on E. 40 St. in Manhattan on that dark morning.

His story has made history: According to accounts, he called family and friends to let them know about the nightmare unfolding, then raced to the World Trade Center; he was on the 27th floor of the North Tower when the South Tower collapsed, Horton said.

While he ordered his men out by radio — the men told him they'd wait for him — Capt. Burke uttered the words that are forever imprinted on hearts and minds: "Keep going. I'm right behind you."

He was with two civilians, one a quadriplegic.

According to numerous reports, when Capt. Burke called his friend Jean Traina, she implored, "Stay safe."

"This is my job," he reportedly said. "This is who I am."

Capt. Burke and the civilians he was helping died when the North Tower collapsed — but the East End Warriors have vowed to keep the memory of his heroism alive.

"We don't know them," Horton said. "But we owe them."

No donation, she added, is too small. Donations are still accepted; to donate, click here.

Patch photos courtesy of Debbie Horton.