Mission 343 – Walking 343 Miles to Honor the Heroes of 9/11
On September 11, 2001, 343 firefighters, 23 NYPD officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers ran toward danger while the rest of the world was running away. They made the ultimate sacrifice to save others. Twenty-five years later, their courage, service, and sacrifice must never be forgotten.
To honor them, Bobby Tolley, founder of the Fires & Drums Foundation, is walking 343 miles carrying a 34.3-pound ruck, stopping at 9/11 memorials and firehouses across Long Island and into New York City to quietly pay his respects to the men and women who gave everything that day. The journey began on March 8th at the Rocky Point 9/11 Memorial and will conclude on September 10th, 2026 at Ground Zero, the eve of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Each step is meant to honor the sacrifice made that day and remind us of the unity, kindness, and strength that followed.
Bobby’s reason for doing this is deeply personal. His brother, FDNY Firefighter William Tolley, died in the line of duty on April 20, 2017 while fighting a fire in Queens. In the aftermath of that loss, Bobby founded the Fires & Drums Foundation in his brother’s honor. The name reflects William’s two passions in life: fighting fires and playing drums in a death metal band that toured around the world.
Since its founding, the Fires & Drums Foundation has donated over $175,000 to families in need, supporting first responder and military families facing serious hardship, helping communities recover from disasters, funding local projects like a playground restoration, and providing a foundation van to help families travel for critical medical treatments. The mission is simple: help families when life suddenly becomes overwhelming.
Mission 343 is more than a walk. It is a reminder of the bravery shown on 9/11, the unity our country felt in the days that followed, and the responsibility we all share to continue supporting the first responder and military families who sacrifice so much. As Bobby walks from memorial to memorial, he hopes others will join him—whether for a mile, a day, or simply by helping spread the message so the memory of these heroes is never forgotten.