The First Responders Championship

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.”

For the third year Menninger & Associates is teaming up with a local charity to make a difference in the community. Tunnel to Towers may sound familiar because the nonprofit was responsible for paying off the mortgage of fallen Pennsylvania State Trooper Branden Sisca as part of its annual Season of Hope Campaign. Branden is survived by his wife Brittany and their daughter who was born after her father was killed. We are beyond honored to work with a charity that has supported our local community in such a big way.

To honor these heroes and all fallen first responders Menninger & Associates is excited to announce their third annual charity golf outing appropriately named The First Responders Championship. The outing will take place on June 19 2023 at Brookside Country Club in Pottstown PA. Registration and brunch will go from 9:30am to 10:45am followed by a shotgun start at 11:00am. There will be beverages on the course during play along with various mini games to further raise funds. The day will conclude with the finals of the putting competition and a sit down dinner/raffle at 4:45pm. We expect the outing to sell out like last year so sign up now for a full day of golf great food and a better cause!

For more information on the event, click here: https://dogood.t2t.org/campaign/the-first-responders-championship/c477885