Donaldson Elementary teacher Kathie Shotts asked if I would help with an ongoing school project helping her students to learn about the different cultures and events around the United States through the travels of Cactus Jack and Flat Stanley. I decided to take Jack and Stanley to watch a basketball game between Heroes from the Air Force And the Special Ops. I worked some magic to get these two intrepid travelers court side seats.
Watching this basketball game I was reminded of the deep respect and honor these heroes have for country. The camaraderie between these two military teams was great fun to witness as they often times cheered for each other. It was great sport.

US Olympic Athlete Liaison, Sherry Von Riesen played an integral part in my visit to the Warrior Games at the Air Force Academy today. Her work with Wounded Warriors and Paralympians has a big tie to these Warrior Games. This event has outgrown the Olympic Training facility and now takes place at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. I pulled into the main gate of the Academy with The Kindness Bus with a very curious group of guards who waved me through to the Field House.
Today’s events were cycling, basketball and volleyball. These Hero athletes are so incredible. I thought I was in great shape from riding The Kindness Bicycle for the past year, that is until I saw the speed and power these men and women have. Attending this first day of competition made me proud of our great country.
What a great connection in so many ways.

On the way to the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, I rode past a very moving memorial to Firefighters.
I thought, if you could speak some words of comfort to one of the first responders at Ground Zero, what would those words be?
You still can, and every Firefighter would love to hear them.