Honoring 9/11 Heroes, East End Warriors Fundraise

SOUTHOLD, NY — The horror of 9/11 may have unfolded more than 15 years ago, but for those who lost loved ones on the darkest of days, the memories are a mere heartbeat away.

To honor the heroes who gave their lives on 9/11, Debbie Horton, of Cutchogue, is teaming up with others who wish to pay respect, forming the group East End Warriors to participate in the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb NYC on June 4.

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.

"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 $965.

Training for the event is something Horton takes seriously; she and her daughter will kick off their efforts Saturday, training on the stairs at the Horton Point Lighthouse.

So far, Horton said she's recruited locals and out of state family and friends to join the East End Warriors. "We are still welcoming any newcomers to share the experience," she said.

And training is critical, because participants climb to the top of the Freedom Tower in New York City.

"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 the 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.

"As participants in the T2T Tower Climb honoring Captain Billy Burke; as we climb stair after stair and our back is hurting and our knees are aching, we remember Billy’s words to his men on September 11, 2001, 'Keep going, I’m right behind you,'" the site about the event reads.

The Captain William F. Burke, Jr. Foundation honors the heroism of FDNY Captain Billy Burke Jr. who sacrificed his life on 9/11 to save others, "and to support and honor the sacrifices of our military men and women devoted to protect our freedom", the site added.

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

No donation, she added, is too small. To donate, click here.

Patch photos courtesy of Debbie Horton.