On Veterans Day, Tunnel to Towers honors the men and women who served to protect our country By Mindy Freifeld Published Nov. 11, 2026, 12:01 a.m. ET United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Johanny Rodriguez Tunnel to Towers Sponsored by: This Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who have worn the uniform to defend our nation’s freedoms. For United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Johanny Rodriguez, that commitment spanned more than two decades across two branches of the military.
Remembering Johanny Rodriguez
In September 1998, United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Johanny Rodriguez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for better life opportunities. After serving five years in the Marines, Johanny joined the United States Army. Over his career, Johanny became widely known among his peers for his dependability, steady leadership and deep compassion.
While deployed to Kuwait supporting Operation Spartan Shield, military leadership asked Johanny to extend his service for another tour. Recognizing the vital nature of the mission, Johanny accepted, backed fully by the unwavering support of his wife, Gisel, their four children, and their extended family.
Tragically, Johanny did not make the journey home.
In the wake of an unimaginable loss, Gisel suddenly faced the challenge of raising four children on a single income. That is when the Tunnel to Towers Foundation stepped forward. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded in honor of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who gave his life saving other on September 11, 2001, and to honor all those who lost their lives that day. Since then, the Foundation has expanded its mission through national programs that provide mortgage-free homes to military and first responder families, build specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured heroes, combat veteran homelessness, provide educational scholarship, and teach future generations about Nine-Eleven.
The Gold Star Family Home Program, part of the Foundation’s In the Line of Duty Programs, honors the legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country by providing mortgage-free homes to their surviving spouses and young children.
“Having a mortgage-free home ensures that I will forever be able to provide a home for our children long after I am gone and it removes the financial burden we would’ve had going from two incomes down to one. My children will have a forever home where no matter where they end up in life, they will always have a place to remind them of their father and the memories we shared as a family before we lost him.” said Johanny’s widow, Gisel.
In addition to mortgage coverage, children also receive full scholarships for undergraduate degrees and accredited trade school programs. Johanny’s eldest son, Jarel, is receiving an engineering scholarship thanks to the Mae and George Siller Scholarship Program. Said Gisel, “This scholarship will not be wasted on him. He will use it to further his education and become someone who will positively contribute to his community and to society.”
Johanny carried out his service with immense pride. He was the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career including:
Above all his military achievements, Johanny’s greatest legacy remains his devotion to his family. His warmth, infectious sense of humor, and devotion to his loved ones lives on through his four children.
Johanny Rodriguez and family Tunnel to Towers This year, T2T is delivering 343 mortgage-free homes to America’s heroes and their families in honor of the 343 FDNY firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on Nine-Eleven. To learn more about how Tunnel to Towers supports America’s heroes and their families, or to donate $11 a month, visit T2T.org.
