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by TOM WROBLESKI
Sharing a box at the Republican National Convention with some Staten Islanders the other night apparently had quite an impact on former President George H.W. Bush.
On Monday, a handful of Islanders, including Westerleigh resident Frank Siller, watched the convention at Madison Square Garden, sitting in a box just off the convention floor with Bush, former Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and other dignitaries.
Siller's brother, Firefighter Stephen Siller of West Brighton, died at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, after running to the site through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. The Tunnel to Towers Run is held each year in his honor.
At the end of night, Siller said he shook Bush's hand and presented him with a button with his brother's picture on it.
Bush could be seen wearing the button when he attended the convention session the next night. Siller's son called him after seeing Bush on television.
"It meant something to him that my brother gave his life," said Siller. "I was honored. I'm proud of my brother. Obviously, he was proud of him, too."
Bush could not be reached for comment last night.
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