September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil in U.S. history. Stories of inspiration and courage emerge every year on 9/11 as Americans solemnly transform tragedy into triumph and sorrow into success.
Navy veterans Jim Serger and Cory Hardy are two examples. Earlier this summer, the former chief petty officers, who first met in Japan aboard the USS Independence in the 1990s, bicycled cross-country 3,500 miles to raise money for Tunnel to Towers Foundation. T2T, as it’s commonly known, supports military veterans and first responders throughout life when they need it most.
Why Tunnel to Towers Foundation?
Having served their country in the U.S. Navy, both men understand principles like duty, honor, and sacrifice. They have an enormous respect for the mission of T2T and what the organization has accomplished over the past 25 years.
“I have a lot of friends who served in Vietnam, and T2T has helped many of them,” Hardy said. “T2T helps out everyone, from firefighters to law enforcement to military veterans. They have done a wonderful job helping those individuals who have contributed to society, and they do it seamlessly.”
Serger agreed, stating that T2T is all about giving back to society. “Our lives changed on 9/11. People responded then, and thanks to T2T, they are still responding today. I applaud all those first responders, firemen, police, and veterans for all that they’ve done and sacrificed,” Serger said.
Serger and Hardy are among the legions of Tunnel to Towers Foundation supporters. On their cross-country trek, Serger and Hardy put their pedal to the metal in fundraising for their favorite charity. American Essence caught up with the men in June, before their journey began.
‘Let’s Do It!’
This past New Year’s Day, Serger made a call from his Ohio home to his friend Hardy in Montana. When Hardy picked up, Serger asked simply, “Are you in?” Recognizing his friend’s voice, Hardy chuckled, “Yeah, let’s do it.” “He didn’t even know what I was pitching,” Serger said, laughing.
The bicycling buddies set an ambitious fundraising goal of $250,000 prior to their trek. Their route had them traversing 14 states plus the District of Columbia with the Pentagon as their first East Coast stop. From the Pentagon, the two planned to ride to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed on that fateful day, before concluding their journey in early August at the 9/11 memorial in New York.
The two began their ride July 14 in California with the goal of riding 200 miles per day. The plan was for Serger to bike 100 miles while Hardy drove alongside, then switch roles every 100 miles.
The support vehicle carried bike parts, inner tubes, bike chains, a medical kit, along with energy bars, waffles, Gatorade, and water. At night, the pair planned to load up on carbs by eating spaghetti, pizza, or pasta before grabbing some sleep at a local motel.
“We want to eat the same meals consistently,” Serger said. “Protein during the day and carbs at night.”
Dedication In Motion
Hardy is a 51-year-old owner of a drywall company and an avid bicyclist who has ridden across Japan, Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Mexico, and several Southeast Asian countries. He sets a personal goal every year of going on a 1,000-mile bike trip.
Serger, 55, is the author of 10 books, including three whose proceeds were donated to T2T. When he’s not writing or riding, Serger works as an usher at Cincinnati Reds baseball games and University of Cincinnati football and basketball games. He once biked from Indiana to Orlando, Florida. He also has climbed Mt. Fuji and backpacked throughout Asia.
Serger asserted he wouldn’t have any trouble keeping up with his younger friend. “As long as I’m riding downhill, I can stay with him,” he said. He added that Hardy also boxed while in the Navy, and he knows that if he doesn’t keep up with Hardy, “he’ll give me the old one-two punch.”
Serger stressed the importance of always remembering 9/11. “The biggest thing is we can’t allow what happened then to fade away,” he said solemnly. “This is the 25th anniversary, but a lot of people weren’t around then. We must never forget that day.”
“Let Us Do Good”—The Tunnel to Towers Foundation
September 11th marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, when 343 firefighters and first responders lost their lives trying to save others. One of those was fireman Stephen Siller.
Tunnel to Towers (T2T) got its name from Siller’s brave actions. He was at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel on his way to the Twin Towers to help when the tunnel closed to cars. Undeterred, he strapped his fireman’s pack to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel to the towers. He sadly lost his life that day.
T2T’s motto is “Let Us Do Good,” inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. Since its founding, it has delivered more than 1,700 mortgage-free homes to families of fallen first responders and veterans. It has built custom designed smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. T2T provides housing assistance and supportive services for more than 17,500 homeless veterans.
Its effort to remind America to never forget September 11, 2001, is the cornerstone of the organization.
Visit www.JimSerger.com and click “Donate to T2T” to see their current fundraising amount.
From Sept. Issue, Volume VI
