CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — ​It’s been nearly two decades since the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. There is a special local event to ensure we never forget the sacrifices of the nation’s first responders.

The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run honors all the heroes of that day. The annual run is happening at the Bellevue Fire Department and its Western New York’s largest event established in memory of not only those brave first responders, but also military service members.

9/11 survivor Lisa Amatura was in one of the towers that fell on that fateful day.

“It was a bright, sunny Tuesday morning and I was traveling for work,” she said. “We went to the North Tower for a meeting and was enjoying the view of the Statue of Liberty and then felt the impact of the first plane hit at 8:46 a.m. The ceiling tiles were falling and we were able to make our way to the stairwell and then descend 76 flights of stairs. 

“It’s amazing that it has been 20 years, but we always try to think of the bravery of those that responded, that saved my life, that continued to do that when they pledged for the military and first responders everywhere and it’s really critical for our family that we always go to gratitude.

“The bravery that the men and women displayed that day gave me the opportunity to go on and raise my own children, and if you are in a position where you can thank a firefighter or a military service members, come out and run with us. Just try and always do good.”

If you’d like to join the Tunnel to Towers 5K run, visit https://t2t.org/event/2021-tunnel-to-towers-5k-run-walk-buffalo.