Tunnels to Towers Huntington Beach 5K: Why This September Event Matters for Southern California

A First for Orange County

This September 19 marks the inaugural Tunnels to Towers 5K Run & Walk in Huntington Beach, and it is a significant moment for Southern California. The foundation, which has provided more than 17,500 veterans with housing and dedicated hundreds of mortgage-free smart homes to Gold Star families and first responders, is expanding its community event presence to the West Coast.

Starting at Huntington City Beach near the iconic surfboard statue, participants will run or walk along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway course, taking in the ocean views while supporting a cause that changes lives. The event is open to all fitness levels, families, and supporters of the military and first responder community.

For those who cannot attend in person, the foundation also offers virtual participation options so anyone from anywhere in the country can support the mission and earn a finisher's medal.

Frank Siller Memoir: "Let Us Do Good" Releases September 1

Just weeks before the Huntington Beach 5K, on September 1, 2026, Tunnels to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller will release his memoir "Let Us Do Good" published by Broadside Books (HarperCollins). The book tells the story behind the foundation — from the tragic loss of his brother, firefighter Stephen Siller, on 9/11, to building one of the most impactful veterans and first-responder organizations in America.

In his announcement, Siller said the book is "about the people who have carried Stephen's legacy forward — the veterans, the first responders, the Gold Star families, and the everyday Americans who believe that we should never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom."

The memoir is available for pre-order now. Proceeds from book sales support the foundation's mission of providing mortgage-free homes to veterans, first responders, and their families. This release, timed just before the 25th anniversary of 9/11 on September 11, adds a powerful chapter to the foundation's ongoing story.

Steel Across America: The Journey Continues

The foundation's Steel Across America tour — carrying a 16,900-pound World Trade Center steel beam across 10,500+ miles and 35+ stops in 21 states — continues its cross-country journey through September 11, 2026. After visiting Southern California on June 28 at the West Los Angeles Veterans Campus, the beam is now touring the Northeast and Midwest. The tour culminates on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Alongside the Steel Across America tour, the foundation's 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit continues visiting communities nationwide, ensuring that future generations understand the events of September 11, 2001, and the heroism of the first responders who ran toward danger.

25th Anniversary NYC 5K — September 27

One week after the Huntington Beach event, the landmark 25th Tunnel to Towers NYC 5K Run & Walk will take place on September 27, 2026, in Brooklyn, New York. This annual event honors the life and legacy of Stephen Siller and draws thousands of participants from across the country. Together, the Huntington Beach and NYC events mark a September of remembrance, service, and action for the foundation.

Why This Matters to Southern California

For those of us living in Southern California, the Huntington Beach 5K represents a rare opportunity to participate in the Tunnels to Towers mission close to home. The foundation's work resonates deeply with our community — home to major military installations, a large veteran population, and countless first responders who serve our cities every day.

As a U.S. Army veteran, a REALTOR serving families across Santa Clarita and Southern California, and a longtime supporter of the Tunnels to Towers mission, I believe events like this matter. They remind us that service does not end when you take off the uniform. It continues through how we show up for one another.

How to Get Involved