Charity Plans To Pay Mortgage Of Naval Academy Alumnus Who Died After Training

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A charity plans to pay off the mortgage of a former midshipman who died last week after a training exercise.

The nonprofit, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, will raise money for the family of late Cmdr. Brian Bourgeois until Christmas. Tunnel to Towers is an organization that covers the home payments of first responders and veterans who die in the line of duty.

"Of course it doesn't change the great loss, but it does take some financial burden off them," Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller told "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday, announcing the fundraiser.

The Navy announced that Bourgeois died Dec. 7 at Norfolk Sentara General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. Authorities think Bourgeois was hurt three days earlier during a fast-rope training in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The official cause is still under investigation, however.

"Brian was one of our very best leaders, who possessed all the attributes that make our force effective," said Rear Adm. H.W. Howard III, commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command. "We will miss his charismatic leadership and faithful stewardship of our standard. His legacy carries on in teammates he served with, led, and mentored."

Bourgeois was the commanding officer of SEAL Team 8. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2001 and served for more than 20 years.

The 43-year-old played on the Navy football team in each of his four years at the academy. He also earned three varsity letters during his time on the squad. The Navy Midshipmen honored Bourgeois with a Seal Team 8 flag, commemorative patches and a tributary jersey during Saturday's rivalry game against the Army Black Knights.

"Our alumni community feels the pain of loss of each of its members, especially so when the loss occurs in the line of duty," the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation said on Facebook. "Brian’s class was the last to graduate before the attacks of September 11th put our Nation on war footing."

Tunnel to Towers was founded in honor of New York City Firefighter Stephen Siller, who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Stephen Siller, brother of Frank Siller, was finishing up a shift when he heard the call about the attack at the World Trade Center.

The first responder drove to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it was already closed for security purposes. Determined to help at Ground Zero, he ran roughly two miles through the tunnel to the Twin Towers while carrying 60 pounds of gear.

More information about Tunnel to Towers' commitment to the Bourgeois family is posted here. Anybody can donate to the mortgage relief effort at this link.

To watch the full interview with Frank Siller, check out Fox's full story. Additional details on Bourgeois' death are available in this Navy press release.

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