The Kindness Bicycle is outfitted with a sign in the front and two in the rear. The two in the rear are supported by a metal, horizontal bike rack, which over time, along with riding over hundreds of bumps every day, undoubtedly cracks on the welded frame. The most recent break took place late last week leaving me with just the sign on the front which reads, “Riding 4,000 Miles for Heroes.” the two rear signs address Wounded Warriors, Police and Firefighters. With the absence of the two rear signs, it leaves people guessing who the Heroes are and I am constantly asked this question. My reply, before I tell them what the rear signs actually read is, You! You! If you live your life, as good as you can, while being a positive example to the world, are truly a Hero. Most people smile and shake their heads yes in approval.
The world could sure use many more Heroes. Maybe the One Million Acts Of Kindness logo can be the Heroes crest.

It was a quiet start to the week as I put some planning into my visit to the remaining 4 boroughs of New York City. With a limited amount of time available, I decided to visit one of the most important organizations of Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for new veterans, with over 200,000 Member Veterans and supporters nationwide. IAVA is a 21st Century veterans’ organization dedicated to standing with the 2.4 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan from their first day home through the rest of their lives. Founded in 2004 by an Iraq veteran, their mission is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. IAVA strives to build an empowered generation of veterans who provide sustainable leadership for our country and their local communities. They work toward this vision through programs in four key impact areas: supporting new veterans in Health, Education, Employment and building a lasting Community for vets and their families. I am proud to ride for these Veterans who have protected our liberties and freedom.

A portion of today’s article was taken from the IAVA website www.iava.org

The 32nd Police Precinct in Harlem was one of my stops and as I pulled up on The Kindness Bicycle, I saw that a group of teenagers was having a bake sale out front. These 5 teenagers are part of the Law Enforcement Explorer Program of the New York Police Department. These kids feel the need to help their neighborhood by being a part of something very productive. They want to be part of a long term solution to what happens in their neighborhood and their lives.
Law Enforcement Explorers is a program designed to educate young men and women, ages 14-20, about law enforcement. A uniformed member of the service in each precinct, Police Service Area and Transit District acts as the on-site Post Advisor for the Explorer Program. The program focuses on six areas: career, service, leadership, social, fitness and outdoors. The Explorers Program encourages young people to pursue a law enforcement career. There are currently close to 4,000 Explorer posts at the NYPD.
To me, the bake sale was a success long before they sold their 1st item. I bought some great tasting cookies for the ride. Thank you Explorers!

The words written on The Kindness Bus has inspired many people across the world since The Kindness Bus Tour began over three years ago. One of my favorite things to do is to sit nearby anonymously and watch and listen to people who take in its powerful messages. I was on a break from riding The Kindness Bicycle and watched for about an hour, over 50 people took pictures, and that was watching from only one vantage point. There were probably just as many taking pictures from the other side.
One of the most inspiring outcomes of this mission thus far is the support and acknowledgement from professionals in the mental health business. Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Counselors have engaged me in long conversations regarding the curative properties of living a kind life. I never guessed more correctly on doing something in my life.
I love The Kindness Bus. It inspires without me having to say a word.

The streets of Harlem were packed with pedestrians as I rode The Kindness Bicycle over the course of the past few days here. This allowed for maximum exposure as I made my way to several Firehouses and Police Precincts. I love having a huge audience as make my way through traffic.
John, a proud Firefighter, at the West 143rd Street Firehouse, known as the “Harlem Hilton,” walked me through his station while showing a keen interest in The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes.
The 32nd Precinct in Harlem was very busy while visiting. One of the Officers on duty told me that the Police Athletic League “would love to hear about this.” I’ll be contacting them next week.
The days on The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes just keep getting better and better.

New York is a city that has more international visitors and residents than almost any other city in the world. This is one of the many reasons I love spending extended amounts of time here. I am able to connect with people from around the globe.
Twice over the course of the past three days, I met four naval officers from Argentina. My first connection was at the south end of Central Park as they were posing at a statue of Argentinian hero, Jose de San Martin. The statue was a gift from the people of Buenos Aires to the people of New York City. Today they were in the park and they flagged me down to take photos with me. It was so great to hear how proud they are of their country and how they love being in the United States.
Today I spent the day west and north of  Central Park visiting several Precincts and Firehouses. The consensus was unanimous, there is great interest in The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes.
Thank you to Phil near Gramercy Park for the interest and support.

I started the day with a visit to a couple of Firehouses I had already visited. Each Firehouse has 3 crews who are on duty every 3rd day. I visited these Firehouses knowing the crews would be different from my 1st visit. Both were aware of my previous stop because of the flyer posted at the Firehouse.
My next stop was the Friends of Firefighters with an invite from Meghan who gave me a tour of their facility. It also just happened to be their once a month breakfast for Firefighters and their families today. Many retired Firefighters listened to and shared stories over breakfast this morning. They made me feel like one of the family as the coffee and food kept coming.
I visited four more Firehouses and a Police Precinct this afternoon, two of the Firehouses invited me in for lunch and another for dinner.
Thank you to all the Firefighters for giving me their time over lunch and dinner. This was such a great day!