The Tunnel to Towers Foundation used the Independence Day holiday as a backdrop to announce that it has paid off the mortgage on the family home of fallen Slidell firefighter Taylor Bass, who died unexpectedly last year, leaving behind a stunned wife, two young children and a mortgage on the residence the four of them shared in Folsom.

That mortgage has now been satisfied by the nonprofit foundation that was formed in the aftermath of 9/11 to "do good" by providing mortgage-free homes to fallen first responder families with young children (including first responders who die from 9/11-related illnesses), military heroes in the war on terror, and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to never forget 9/11.

“Receiving support from Tunnel to Towers has relieved so much financial stress off my family — off me," Angela Bass said of the foundation's act of generosity to her family. "It allows me to focus my full attention on raising our children, without worrying about how my mortgage will be paid.

"Our two children are currently processing one of the biggest challenges that they will ever face — losing their dad, (and) Tunnel to Towers has ensured stability for them and our family. Words cannot fully describe my gratitude," the firefighter's widow said.

St. Tammany Fire Prevention Officer Taylor Bass was a proud graduate of LSU and served as an equipment manager for the team from 2005-07. He attended the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy in Minden and began serving Slidell as a firefighter with St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1 in 2011. His district said Bass opted to be a firefighter to help others rather than pursuing a 9-5 job.

Bass died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest, perhaps triggered by exhaustion, on Feb. 23, 2023. He was only 40 years of age.

“Tunnel to Towers is honored to support the family that FPO Bass left behind. Nothing can replace a husband and father, but I hope the peace of mind knowing they can stay forever in the home they shared, will help them continue to heal as a family,” said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The foundation was organized to honor Stephen Siller, the youngest of seven siblings and the father of five children, who was actually off work and en route to play golf with his older brothers when he heard on his scanner that a plane just hit the north tower on Sept. 11, 2001. He turned around and headed toward ground zero. Siller ultimately abandoned his vehicle due to bridge closures, and instead loaded 60 pounds of equipment on his back and ran on foot to reach victims. At only 34 years of age, he died saving others. 

Visit T2T.org to learn more and follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, X, and Instagram.