Run honors lost firefighter's courage


Chicopee firefighters Glen Olbrych, Mike Guerin, James Pijar and Doug Sanford speak about the Tunnel to Towers Run. Sanford's son Camden looks on. The firefighters particpated in the Tunnel to Towers 5K run last month in memory of Stephen Siller and others who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE For the Chicopee firefighters who ran the Tunnel to Towers Run on Sept. 28, the race was much more than a test of their physical skills it was a testimony of their dedication of never letting people forget the sacrifices made on Sept. 11, 2001.

Their participation is to "never forget, essentially," Lt. Doug Sanford said at an appreciation event on Wednesday at the First American Insurance Agency. The agency was one of the sponsors of the group of people from Chicopee who took part in the event.

The five kilometer mile run honors the memory of off-duty firefighter Stephen Siller who ran from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center with his gear strapped to his back in response to the terrorist attack. He was searching for the rest of his company and perished.

The Tunnel to Towers Run is part of the Stephen Siller Foundation (www.tunneltotowersrun.org) that raises money for burn units and children services.

Participating fire departments have a team of three runners, who are then joined by any number of supporters. This year's runners from Chicopee were Lt. Mike Guerin, and Firefighters Glen Olbyrch and James Pijar, all of who had run the race before. The Chicopee Fire Department has sent a team for the past four years.

Sanford said the route of the run is bordered by firefighters and others who hold banners in support of the event.

Guerin explained that a full busload of supporters accompany them to the race and than much of the money needed to participate is donated by Local 1710 of the firefighters union.

Pijar said participating in the race was all about camaraderie between firefighters.

"It's heart-wrenching, but a great run," Guerin said.

He added that some firefighters make the run with their equipment as did Siller and there was one member of the military who ran in uniform carrying tires.

Mayor Michael Bissonnette said of participating in the race "It's an honor for the Chicopee Fire Department."