We were pumped up because were four brothers getting together to play golf, said Frank Siller, Stephens brother. Everybody was busy, Stephen already with five kids, and you know, he heard what happened on his scanner and he turned his truck around.
There was never a doubt in my mind that Stephen did what he did, Frank Siller said. Firefighters were there already. He loved that brotherhood. He came to a screeching half, got out calmly, put his gear on and started running through the tunnel. And that tunnel is nearly two miles long.
We wanted his kids to know that his dad is a hero, Frank Siller said. We didnt have any great, lofty goals starting a foundation, but when a friend of his came up with the idea of running through the tunnel like he did, you just know the right thing when you hear it.
Asked what he would tell his brother if he were alive today, Frank Siller said, Proud of you. Look what you have done with your life with your sacrifice. Mommy and Daddy are proud of you. All your siblings are. Your kids are. Your wife is. The whole community is. You did something special, Steve."