Tunnel To Towers Foundation Delivers 21 Mortgage-Free Homes To Fallen First Responder Families In Honor Of 9/11 Anniversary

(MENAFN- GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of America's Heroes on the 24th Anniversary of September 11

New York, New York, Sept. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In solemn observance of the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has delivered mortgage-free homes to 21 families of fallen first responders across the country, including six families who lost their loved ones to 9/11-related illnesses.
“It has been 24 years since the cowardly attacks on America on September 11, 2001. On that day, first responders like my brother, FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, ran toward danger and gave their lives to save others,” said Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation .“While decades have passed since that tragic day, families of our heroes continue to feel the impact, as our great nation continues to lose heroes to 9/11-related illnesses. Today, we remember the lives lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, PA, and we stand with those who are still being directly impacted by the attacks."
The Tunnel to Towers Fallen First Responder Home Program pays off the mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty, pass away from 9/11-related illnesses, and leave behind young children.
As part of this year's 9/11 anniversary tribute, the Foundation provided mortgage-free homes to the families of the following heroes:

• FDNY EMS Lieutenant Anthony Cozzino - 9/11 Illness
• FDNY Firefighter Peter Quinn - 9/11 Illness
• NYPD Detective Craig Capolino - 9/11 Illness
• NYPD Police Officer Mark J. Natale - 9/11 Illness
• East Meadow Fire Department Firefighter Kevin Weeks - 9/11 Illness
• Commack Fire Department Honorary Chief Louis Sollicito - 9/11 Illness
• Manhattan Beach Police Officer Chad Swanson
• LA County Sheriff's Department Deputy Sheriff Alfredo Flores
• Tulsa Fire Department Firefighter Harrison Moseby
• Nevada Highway Patrol Sergeant Michael Abbate
• Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Alberto Felix
• Memphis Police Department Police Officer Demetrice Johnson
• Boone County Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Tobben
• Independence Police Department Police Officer Cody Allen
• Duncanville, Texas Fire Engineer/Driver Daniel Kendall
• Broward County Sheriff's Office Deputy Benjamin Nimtz

FDNY EMS Lieutenant Anthony Cozzino
Retired FDNY EMS Lieutenant Anthony Cozzino was a 26-year veteran of the department, serving mostly out of Station 43 in Brooklyn. He responded to the September 11th attacks and took part in the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. In 2024, he passed away from 9/11-related lung cancer at age 51.
He is survived by his wife, Lori, and his three children.
“It is such an honor for our family to be selected because of Anthony's bravery and sacrifice, but it was an instant reminder of why he is no longer with us. It is such a bizarre feeling to be simultaneously filled with appreciation and gratitude along with crippling grief,” said Lori Cozzino.
Nevada Highway Patrol Sergeant Michael Abbate
Sergeant Michael Abbate served more than a decade with the Nevada Highway Patrol. He led the department's driver education program, training both officers and cadets. After his passing, he was posthumously awarded the Nevada State Police Medal of Valor.
He is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and their young son. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation ensured that Vanessa could remain forever in the family's Henderson home that she and Michael built together.
“After losing Michael, one of my biggest fears was losing this home we worked so hard for and put so much of ourselves into. To have my son grow up in the home his daddy built with his own hands will forever be so special. This home means so much more to us than just a roof over our head, it's having Michael forever here with us,” said Vanessa Abbate.
Tunnel to Towers 9/11 InstituteTM
As part of its mission to ensure America NEVER FORGETS 9/11, the Foundation created the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 InstituteT , a national education program that provides first-person, non-fiction resources for educators, parents, and students across the country.
The 9/11 Institute equips teachers with age-appropriate tools to teach the history of the September 11 attacks to grades K-12, showcasing the stories of heroism and the resilience shown by first responders and everyday Americans.
“The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is helping America keep its promise to NEVER FORGET by educating generations born after the attacks about the sacrifice, unity, and courage that defined our nation on its darkest day. Tunnel to Towers also continues to engage tens of thousands of people across our nation each year to honor the fallen through our many runs, walks, climbs, and golf outings," said Siller.
For more on the families receiving mortgage-free homes and the 9/11 Institute, please visit T2T. We invite you to join us on our mission to support America's heroes and the families they leave behind.
About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to“do good” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America Never Forget September 11, 2001.
Visit to learn more and follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook , X , and Instagram .

CONTACT: Trevor Tamsen Tunnel To Towers Foundation 718-987-1931 ...

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