Honoring the fallen Local golfers team up to raise $10,000 for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Nearly 100 area golfers hit the links Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Chester Country Club for the Holes "Fore" Heroes tournament to raise money for a very special cause - the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named in honor of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on 9/11.

The foundation helps injured military service members, Gold Star Families and the families of fallen first responders - all causes close to the heart of Illinois State Trooper Joshua Hecht of Chester, who worked tirelessly for the past 10 months to make this fundraising effort happen.

"We have had to dedicate lots of man hours, stress and fatigue to this effort, but it has been well worth it, and proceeds are going to a really great foundation that helps a lot of people," Hecht said.

Hecht was inspired to get involved after the death of fellow District 11 State Trooper Nicholas Hopkins, who was shot and killed Aug. 23, 2019, while serving a warrant. "While at the front door of the recipient, the recipient fired shots through the door, killing Nick," Hecht said.

Hopkins left behind a wife, Whitney, and three children - twins Evelyn and Owen, who are now in kindergarten, and 2-year-old Emma. Whitney Hopkins and her children now live in Waterloo.

The tournament kicked off with a special moment of silence and the singing of the national anthem by Chester High School senior Melody Colonel.

Kurt Schroeder, owner of Red Dot Construction, lifted a huge American flag with two of his large cranes at the south end of the parking lot - a beautiful and impressive site to see.

With Old Glory swaying in the brisk breeze, the boisterous crowd of 96 golfers came to a sudden silence when Colonel began singing the "Star-Spangled Banner." The silence struck a very patriotic note, with all hats off and everyone at attention.

Many of the golfers said they hadn't played golf all summer but wanted to help support Hecht and his efforts for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The foundation was established shortly after the 9/11 attack on the twin towers in New York City. Siller, who was off duty on Sept. 11, 2001, was on his way to play a round of golf when he learned of the attack.

He immediately turned around and drove to his firehouse. His crew was already on the scene, so he put on his gear and headed out in his own vehicle, only to discover that all roads, bridges and tunnels were closed. So he pulled over, grabbed his gear and jogged 1.7 miles through the Brooklyn Tunnel, all the way to the scene with 60 pounds of equipment on his back.

He was at the south tower assisting in rescue efforts when it collapsed, killing him instantly. Siller left behind a wife and five children. His story sparked a movement, and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation was born.

The foundation supports military members and first responders through three programs.

First, the foundation builds mortgage-free Smart Homes for American service members who return from battle with catastrophic injuries, such as lost limbs. These homes feature amenities - such as automatic doors, lower countertops and special showers - designed to accommodate the individual's injury.

Second, the foundation's Gold Star Family Home Program supports the spouses of military members killed in the line of duty with small children. Because it is often difficult for the surviving parent to work to support the family, the foundation steps in to pay off the balance of the family's mortgage.

Similarly, the foundation also assists the family of fallen first responders killed in the line of duty by paying off their home mortgages.

After her husband's death, Whitney Hopkins was the beneficiary of such a foundation award, which paid off the mortgage on her Waterloo home. At the event, she was honored with a plaque and the foundation's Hero-to-Hero award.

A second plaque was presented to Trooper William Donald on behalf of everyone in Illinois State Police District 11 Headquarters in Collinsville in memory of Trooper Hopkins.

Hecht said profits from the golf tournament came in at $9,200. When Whitney Hopkins heard the fundraiser was just $800 short of reaching $10,000, she offered to donate the additional money to make it an even $10,000.

"This has got to be one of the best tournaments we have ever held here at the Chester Country Club," said Paul Zemlyn, whose team had the top score of 57.

"The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation does amazing work and helps many people who have experienced extreme disaster in their lives," said Zemlyn, who is an assistant coach for the Chester High School golf team.

"I couldn't have done this without the help of many people," Hecht said, with special thanks to: Chester Country Club; Mayor Tom Page; the Tate and Leah Search Family for helping with organization, results and other functions; Kurt Schroeder for bringing his huge American flag; his wife, Courtney, for her many hours of support and assistance; Kathy Brown for organizing the food and a multitude of other feats; Rozier's Country Market for donating much of the food; Chris Naeger for grilling hot dogs and hamburgers all day; Melody Colonel for performing the national anthem; the hole sponsors; and all of the 96 golfers who played in the tournament.

Hecht said he hopes to make the tournament an annual event.

After golf and dinner, retired FDNY firefighter Jack Oehm, a foundation board member who flew in just for the occasion, shared his own experiences.

On Sept. 11, 2001, he was called in to work on his day off at approximately 11 a.m. The second tower had just collapsed at 10:28 a.m. When he arrived at the second tower, all that was left was a pile of rubble that was about 9 to 10 stories high and 16 acres wide.

Oehm and his crew searched the scene all day for survivors, but to no avail. "At 12 a.m. we were both physically and emotionally drained. Most of my crew were claiming that they could not go on. Just about the time that I was about to tell my crew to go home for the night, I suddenly felt a chill and turned around. I saw a group of men dressed in fire gear marching toward our tower.

"It turned out that they were from a firehouse in Tennessee and drove all the way to New York to help us. The sight of those brave firefighters coming to assist us gave us a huge boost and helped us to continue searching throughout the night."

Oehm said: "Their willingness to help us out was a testimony to the goodness of the American people and pumped us up to work till morning. Unfortunately, our efforts did not discover anyone alive in our pile of devastation."

Tournament results

Class "B" winners: Dan Bosch, Garrett Johnson, Dan Leitschuh and Phil Taylor; 70.

Class "A" winners: Jordan Gremmels, Aaron Halstead, Josh Hecht and Steve Mohr; 66.

Championship Class grand winner: Mike Walton, Paul Faus, Baylee Modglin, and Paul Zemlyn; 57.