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Family Of Firefighter Stephen Siller Talks About Sunday's Benefit

CBS 2's Dana Tyler spoke with Stephen's family about how the annual run is such an inspiration for them.

Over 20,000 people are expected at the charity run. Once again, fellow firefighters will run through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center site in Stephen's honor. Some will follow his heroic footsteps on 9/11 weighted down with gear.

His six siblings say the spirit and goodness of the 5k is what their youngest brother was all about.

"We couldn't let Stephen go. As my sisters say he was so vital and such a funny guy and yet the kind of person who said, 'I try to see the Christ in every person,'" says Russell Siller, Stephen's brother.

Earlier this month, Stephen's brother and sisters and his wife and five children unveiled a statue of Stephen at the training academy.

"We mean, and the whole family means to dedicate this to Stephen and everyone who responded in particularly those who lost their lives," says FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.

Stephen and his wife Sarah had so much planned. Their children, now ages 16 to 7, are busy with school and sports. Sarah says her husband guides her through them.

"If I'm better, they're better. If they're better, than I know I'll be," she says.

Their children are incredibly proud of the statue and the race.

"I really like the whole statue, but I like how there's names of all the other firefighters, so it represents not just my dad, but every firefighter," says Olivia Siller, Stephen's daughter.

Stephen's family will be along the race route Sunday with pride and gratitude.

"When I see everybody standing there, when I see all the volunteers, I get a glimpse. I get a glimpse of Steve. That's what he was about, he truly believes that we were here to help other people and that's what everybody has done for me since 9/11," says Sarah.

"They have really helped me, they enabled us to go forward, their support, their love, their prayers, its helped my children a lot."

On Sunday, you'll hear more from Stephen's family and see the thousands gathered in Brooklyn and near Ground Zero for the "Tunnel To Towers Run." CBS 2 is your station for the run. Our live coverage begins Sunday morning at 9.