East End Warriors Rock Tunnel To Towers Climb NYC

SOUTHOLD, NY — The East End Warriors turned out in force this weekend for the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb NYC on Sunday, paying tribute to those who made the greatest sacrifice in a show of eternal bravery on 9/11.

Team member Debbie Horton of Cuthogue was a familiar sight during training on the North Fork, climbing the steps at Horton Point Lighthouse, exhausted but determined with the goal of honoring those lost on 9/11 carrying her forward in her mission.

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 site explains.

Describing the event, Horton said, "The third time's a charm. Each year it gets better and better. Probably because each year I'm a little more familiar with the process."

This year was also "super special" because Horton was able to participate with two of her daughters, Patricia Horton and Susan Bowen, she said. "Maybe each year I'll convince each one of my kids, one by one, to join me," she said.

This year, as the night before the event brought news of the tragedies unfolding in London, the team began to question if the event was a wise thing to participate in, due to potential terror threats.

"We decided if we don't do this, they win. So we never mentioned it again," Horton said.

She added, "It was great to be part of an amazing team."

This year, the East End Warriors team consisted of Gina Cavilla and Indira Schwarting from Southold, Kathy O'Brien from Laurel, Mary Peters, Patricia Horton, Omar Yacoub, Susan Bowen from Stamford, CT and Nandan Munshi from New York City, as well as Horton, she said.

Of the day, Horton said, "Climbing this year was pretty much the same as previous years — hard! But you keep thinking about the struggles of the people that have to deal with physical losses, or mental losses or the loss of a loved one, and you just keep going. Just as Billy Burke told his company to do back on September 11, 2001: 'Just keep going. I am right behind you.'"

Thinking about those who supported the team during training is also an emotional experience, Horton said.

"I had so much support this year it was overwhelming. When I found out that Horton Point Light beach stairs were not going to be available until a week before the climb I had no idea where I would wind up training. Two amazing friends offered me their keys to their private beach stairs so that we could train in Mattituck and in Baiting Hollow."

Together, she and her teammates raised $4,475, which ranks them as ninth highest so far in fundraising. And it's not to late to donate. To donate, click here.

One special moment this year was cheering for a man at the finish line, Horton said. "He was 80 years old. I can't say I will be do this when I hit my 80s. In fact, around the 70th floor, I said to myself, and almost out loud, 'I'm never doing this again.' Well by the time we were finished and walking out of that beastly tall building I asked, 'Okay, who's in next year?' We all kind of looked at each other and said an astounding, affirmative, 'Yes! We're in!'"

Horton said both East End Warriors and East End Wonder Women are grateful to Southold Town for doing an "amazing job fixing all 103 steps at Horton Point Lighthouse. Both teams are thrilled to resume training for Tunnel 2 Tower Freedom Tower Climb in our hometown."

Horton trains tirelessly on the steps in preparation for the big day with a singular focus in mind.

"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 has kicked off fundraising efforts for East End Warriors with a CrowdRise campaign, honoring Capt. Billy Burke. So far, the campaign has raised $4,475.

Training is critical, because participants climb to the top of the Freedom Tower in New York City, Horton said.

"I remember not wanting to look up because it made me feel like, 'How the heck am I going to do this?'" Horton said. "But then, when it was over, I was overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment."

During a previous 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.

Patch courtesy photos.