The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation will be hosting a concert to benefit the family of NYPD Detective Joseph Lemm at the Capitol Theatre on February 25.
Lemm, a West Harrison resident, was on his third deployment to the Middle East with the Air National Guard when he was killed along with five other Americans in a December suicide bombing attack outside a US Air Force Base near Bagram, Afghanistan. Lemm, a 45-year-old technical sergeant, leaves behind his wife Christine and two children—Brooke and Ryan.
The 6 foot 5 inch man, who was affectionately referred to as ‘Superman’ by his NYPD colleagues, used his body to shield members of his team from the blast. Lemm was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in combat in early February. “It’s the real deal Superman,” says Cathy Christman, director of media relations for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “And he’s right here in our backyard.”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded in the memory of NYPD Firefighter Stephen Siller, who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11. After hearing of the attack on the first tower over his scanner, Siller, off-duty at the time, ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (now referred to as the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel) with 60 pounds of gear on his back to reach Ground Zero. He gave his life protecting the city that he loved.
Part of the mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is to honor and support members of the military and first responders. “When NYPD Detectives Lew and Ramos were killed, we raised $1 million in 10 days to pay off the mortgages on their homes,” says Christman. “Once we heard Detective Lemm’s story, we knew we wanted to help.”
The concert will feature performances by The New York Tenors, Clyde McPhatter’s Drifters, Joe Piscopo, and JAX. Not only that, but Lemm’s daughter Brooke will be performing as well.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation hopes to have a packed house the night of the show, Thursday, February 25. “We want [the Lemm’s] to see 2,000 seats filled with people,” says Christman. “It is a reassurance to Christine that she is not alone.”
Tickets for the concert, scheduled for 8 pm, start at $50. Call 877-987-6487 or go to https://www.crowdrise.com/nypdsuperman/ to purchase tickets. If you are unable to attend the concert, donations can be made on the website as well.
