Firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller was the youngest of seven children born to Mae and George Siller. At the age of eight, Stephen lost his father, and a year and a half later his mother passed away, leaving him an orphan to be raised by his older siblings. For a while Stephen went through a period of struggle, but thanks to the love of his siblings, and the values instilled in him by his parents, he grew up to be an extraordinary individual and dedicated firefighter. More than most, he knew that time was precious and accomplished much in his 34 years.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.
Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others.
Stephen had everything to live for; a great wife, five wonderful children, a devoted extended family, and friends. Stephen’s parents were lay Franciscans and he grew up under the guiding philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, whose encouraging and inspirational phrase “while we have time, let us do good” were words that Stephen lived by. Stephen’s life and heroic death serve as a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and to spend our time here on earth doing good – this is his legacy.
Author and family friend Jay Price wrote: “Every momentous event, even a tragedy, has its symbolic figures. September 11th was no different; it just had a few more of them. Rudy Giuliani, Father Mychal Judge, the four guys on United Flight 93 … a hundred more … a thousand. None bigger than Stephen Siller, whose stature only grows with time as New Yorkers and people from around the world follow his footsteps.”
The mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is to honor the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. We also honor our military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.
Looks like @ilyaifraimov is expanding TEAM Babaghanoush with some wonderful peeps from FADS Saratoga @fads_saratoga_springs!!! Who will take home that traveling trophy?
Vote for Team “Team Babaghanoush ” starring:
Ilya Ifraimov: @ilyaifraimov
Hayk Balasanyan: @fredastairewinterpark
Christina Penatello: @christinapenatello
Vote for “Team Knight Riders” starring:
Stephen Knight: @knight1959
Anastasia Abrashin: @anastasiaabrashin
Dan Rutherford: @rutherford3230
Vote for Team “Team Babaghanoush ” starring:
Ilya Ifraimov: @ilyaifraimov
Hayk Balasanyan: @fredastairewinterpark
Christina Penatello: @christinapenatello
Vote for “Team Eagles” starring:
Tony Dovolani
Martin Lamb
Jan Mattingly: @janmattingly_fadspro
Vote for “Team Virtuous Virtuals” starring
Bruno Collins: @brunocollinstrillieci
Nicole Carrol: @carrollrutherford
Yuri Simakov: @simakovy
And, if you have no idea what we are talking about, no worries, keep reading!:
We’re starting the fun BEFORE the event with
The FADS Greatest Race
We’ve split 12 FADS International Dance Council
Members into 4 teams of 3 to see which team
can enroll the most participants in VIC.
They’ll report from the field each week
on their progress, and the winning team
gets a cash prize, a traveling trophy
and (of course) bragging rights!
Follow along to see all the shenanigans,
ribbing, and fun that’s sure to ensue...
which team are you rooting for?
And of course, join the fun at VIC - there’s still plenty
of time before the January 8 deadline...
it’s virtually that easy!
#vic2025 #road2vic #virtual #international #championships #fredastaire #bestinballroom #itsvirtuallythateasy
Just when you thought Tony and his Eagles were running the race, @ilyaifraimov find some fabulous peeps from @fadsahwatukee to join his TEAM Babaghanoush!!! This is gonna be fun!!!
Vote for Team “Team Babaghanoush ” starring:
Ilya Ifraimov: @ilyaifraimov
Hayk Balasanyan: @fredastairewinterpark
Christina Penatello: @christinapenatello
Vote for “Team Knight Riders” starring:
Stephen Knight: @knight1959
Anastasia Abrashin: @anastasiaabrashin
Dan Rutherford: @rutherford3230
Vote for Team “Team Babaghanoush ” starring:
Ilya Ifraimov: @ilyaifraimov
Hayk Balasanyan: @fredastairewinterpark
Christina Penatello: @christinapenatello
Vote for “Team Eagles” starring:
Tony Dovolani
Martin Lamb
Jan Mattingly: @janmattingly_fadspro
Vote for “Team Virtuous Virtuals” starring
Bruno Collins: @brunocollinstrillieci
Nicole Carrol: @carrollrutherford
Yuri Simakov: @simakovy
And, if you have no idea what we are talking about, no worries, keep reading!:
We’re starting the fun BEFORE the event with
The FADS Greatest Race
We’ve split 12 FADS International Dance Council
Members into 4 teams of 3 to see which team
can enroll the most participants in VIC.
They’ll report from the field each week
on their progress, and the winning team
gets a cash prize, a traveling trophy
and (of course) bragging rights!
Follow along to see all the shenanigans,
ribbing, and fun that’s sure to ensue...
which team are you rooting for?
And of course, join the fun at VIC - there’s still plenty
of time before the January 8 deadline...
it’s virtually that easy!
#vic2025 #road2vic #virtual #international #championships #fredastaire #bestinballroom #itsvirtuallythateasy
Just found out about the FADS Greatest Race and want to vote for/join your favorite team?, Here’s the cool cat himself, Martin Lamb with his take on the madness!!!
Vote for “Team Knight Riders” starring:
Stephen Knight: @knight1959
Anastasia Abrashin: @anastasiaabrashin
Dan Rutherford: @rutherford3230
Vote for Team “Team Babaghanoush ” starring:
Ilya Ifraimov: @ilyaifraimov
Hayk Balasanyan: @fredastairewinterpark
Christina Penatello: @christinapenatello
Vote for “Team Eagles” starring:
Tony Dovolani
Martin Lamb
Jan Mattingly: @janmattingly_fadspro
Vote for “Team Virtuous Virtuals” starring
Bruno Collins: @brunocollinstrillieci
Nicole Carrol: @carrollrutherford
Yuri Simakov: @simakovy
And, if you have no idea what we are talking about, no worries, keep reading!:
We’re starting the fun BEFORE the event with
The FADS Greatest Race
We’ve split 12 FADS International Dance Council
Members into 4 teams of 3 to see which team
can enroll the most participants in VIC.
They’ll report from the field each week
on their progress, and the winning team
gets a cash prize, a traveling trophy
and (of course) bragging rights!
Follow along to see all the shenanigans,
ribbing, and fun that’s sure to ensue...
which team are you rooting for?
And of course, join the fun at VIC - there’s still plenty
of time before the January 8 deadline...
it’s virtually that easy!
#vic2025 #road2vic #virtual #international #championships #fredastaire #bestinballroom #itsvirtuallythateasy
There is still time to play to win!!! For those of you who missed it, just click the link in our bio, and follow the rest of the steps in our MEGA 3x GIVEAWAY!!! It’s that easy!!!
#giveaway #fredastaire #goodmorningamerica #dwts #lifeisbetterwhenyoudance
Uh oh!!! Looks like Team Eagle is growing!!!! @fadshoustonheights will be attending VIC 2025- WILL YOU?
Vote for “Team Eagles” starring:
Tony Dovolani
Martin Lamb
Jan Mattingly: @janmattingly_fadspro
Vote for “Team Knight Riders” starring:
Stephen Knight: @knight1959
Anastasia Abrashin: @anastasiaabrashin
Dan Rutherford: @rutherford3230
Vote for Team “Team Babaghanoush ” starring:
Ilya Ifraimov: @ilyaifraimov
Hayk Balasanyan: @fredastairewinterpark
Christina Penatello: @christinapenatello
Vote for “Team Virtuous Virtuals” starring
Bruno Collins: @brunocollinstrillieci
Nicole Carrol: @carrollrutherford
Yuri Simakov: @simakovy
And, if you have no idea what we are talking about, no worries, keep reading!:
We’re starting the fun BEFORE the event with
The FADS Greatest Race
We’ve split 12 FADS International Dance Council
Members into 4 teams of 3 to see which team
can enroll the most participants in VIC.
They’ll report from the field each week
on their progress, and the winning team
gets a cash prize, a traveling trophy
and (of course) bragging rights!
Follow along to see all the shenanigans,
ribbing, and fun that’s sure to ensue...
which team are you rooting for?
And of course, join the fun at VIC - there’s still plenty
of time before the January 8 deadline...
it’s virtually that easy!
#vic2025 #road2vic #virtual #international #championships #fredastaire #bestinballroom #itsvirtuallythateasy
Did you watch Tony Dovolani on @goodmorningamerica this morning? Here’s a quick recap, mixed with a little funny! #lifeisbetterwhenyoudance #fredastaire #bestinballroom
The Holiday season is taking over, and we can’t help but feel overwhelmed with joy, gratitude and gratefulness! That is precisely why we have decided to GO BIG!!!
Fred Astaire Dance Studios presents: A Super Mega 3x Giveaway!!!
That’s right, we are giving away 3X the prizes, and all you have to do is WATCH/PLAY TO WIN!!!!
First, let’s talk prizes, shall we?:
Current Students: You could WIN 3X the points for our upcoming Virtual Competition (#VIC2025)
Current Instructors: You could WIN $3X 100 dollar bills ($300!!!)
Anyone and Everyone else: You could WIN 3X Ballroom Dance Lessons!!!
Next—- HERE’S HOW TO WIN:
1) Record and upload a video of yourself watching Tony Dovolani on @goodmorningamerica, tomorrow, November 26th, starting at 8am Eastern Time.
2) Mention and/or ADD @Fred_Astaire_Dance_Studios as collaborator
3) Add the Super Secret phrase that Tony Mentions as a hashtag in the description of your video (IE, if the super secret phrase is “Best In Ballroom”, add the hashtag #bestinballroom- Rumor has it he might just wink at the screen after he says it!
That’s it!… Unless of course, you would like SUPER MEGA BONUS ENTRIES:
1) follow us on Instagram
2) leave a comment about a benefit you get from dancing in this post and TAG 3X friends that need ballroom dancing in their life
3) Share this post to your STORY
Now that’s it!!!!
Winners will be announced at our upcoming virtual competition #vic2025
And, Rumor has it there might just be an additional TOP SECRET PRIZE waiting to be announced!
Thanks for playing, and may the SUPER MEGA LUCK be with you!!!
#holidays #giveaways #thankful #grateful #giving #playtowin #fredastaire #bestinballroom #learnhowtodance
You have a great opportunity with VIC 2025 in January!
Competitors will love to compete in their familiar studio with their fun professionals and FADS family and friends cheering them on!
And invite your newer amateurs to see what a competition is all about…..all on a weekend where you can plan your own nightclub session theme, cheer on your professionals in the pro divisions and really bring your studio together in a way you never have.
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