August 10, 2015 at 4:43 p.m.
Piece of history
Local store receives part of World Trade Center in recognition of its support for home-building program
Piece of history
By Kayla Thomason-
Raymond Thomas, a retired lieutenant with the Fire Department of New York City, presented the shadowbox and provided some background on the foundation and the Building for America's Bravest program.
Thomas was in Upper Manhattan the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 working a side job while Siller, also a firefighter, was in Brooklyn about to play golf with his brothers. Both immediately rushed to lower Manhattan after hearing reports the World Trade Center had been struck by an airplane. Siller got caught in traffic in the tunnel that connects Brooklyn and Manhattan. He donned his gear and ran several miles to the towers.
"He strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, rushed on foot through grid-locked traffic and ran from the tunnel to the towers where he gave up his life while saving others," his foundation's website states. He left behind a wife and five children.
"(Siller's) brother decided that he was not going to die in vain so he started the Stephen Siller Foundation," Thomas said. "Originally it was designed to help the firefighters and first responders deal with the aftermath of 9/11. As time progressed he realized there was also a need to take care of our veterans who were coming home with these horrible injuries."
The Building for America's Bravest program builds Smart Homes "for our most catastrophically injured service members returning home," according to the program's website. "Each home is custom designed to address the unique needs of each individual. Energy efficient, automated and easily accessible - these homes use 'adaptive technology' to help our most severely injured heroes live better, more independent lives."
There have been 32 Smart Homes built so far, Thomas said, noting that the first one was built for a quadruple amputee.
"The technology is absolutely incredible," Thomas said. "I mean they can operate lights, doors, appliances with blinks of eyes and an iPad. He can control his whole home with an iPad with his mouth."
Hildebrand wants to raise money for disabled veterans and supports the foundation's efforts.
"I think we owe everything to these vets and some of them are in pretty rough shape and I really think we should do everything we can to help them," he said.
The Carpet One buying group is asking customers if to donate $10 to the BFAB. All of the money donated goes toward building the homes. There is no overhead and the money isn't used to pay wages.
Hildebrand will display the shadowbox on the counter at his store for customers to see.
This was Thomas' first week distributing the shadowboxes to the businesses supporting the foundation and program.
Visiting the businesses, opening up and telling his story has been therapeutic, he said.
"I found this very healing for me, too," he said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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