Rockaway is a section of Queens that is a narrow peninsula which jets out into the Atlantic Ocean. I conveniently arrived by subway and then rode The Kindness Bicycle to the five Firehouses and two Police Precincts along it’s length.
My first stop was to the Firehouse on Mott Avenue and the 101st Precinct around the corner. “How’d you get all the way out here,” I was asked at the Firehouse. To their amazement, I said I came via Santa Monica, California.
Lieutenant Pasquel at the 101st Precinct said today was the first “thank you” she has heard in 18 years. Sergeant Barry said she agreed that they don’t hear thank yous on the job. It is a sad state of affairs that the men and women who protect us aren’t greatly appreciated.
Mark, a Lieutenant, was filling in at the Rockaway Beach Boulevard Firehouse.
He talked with me at length about his years with the FDNY and wanted to know all about my ride.
The entire crew at the Cross Bay Boulevard Firehouse in Howard Beach were thrilled I stopped by and helped me with some direction changes to get me back to my “home base” before dark.

Queens has the largest land area of all five boroughs of New York City. Travel by The Kindness Bicycle is going to be supplemented, somewhat, by the subway during my visits here. I am going to surpass the 4,000 mile total for The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes by a projected 500 miles, so using the subway will become part of my travels for the next couple of weeks. Today’s subway ride from Brooklyn to Queens brought a full range of reactions, (apparently not many people take a Kindness Bike on the subway) from people asking if they could take photos with me, to people who wanted to know what was going on but didn’t ask.
My ride today took me to five Firehouses and one Police Precinct. Queens is a very friendly place, there was lots of foot traffic and car traffic with welcoming reactions. I am looking forward to my next two weeks here.

I headed across the Brooklyn Bridge to catch the ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island. This is my 2nd trip to this very friendly Island. I receive loads of waves, thumbs-up and horns from everyone who sees the signs on The Kindness Bicycle. I got into some great conversations as I made my way to my stops along the way.
I stopped at the 122 Precinct and five Firehouses along with the Coast Guard Station and the Navy Lodge in the central portion of the island. Sandy, who works at the lodge is going to do everything in her power to spread the word.
Mike, a 30 year veteran of the FDNY was “house watch” and answered the door to the Clove Road Firehouse and was instantly intrigued. This house lost eleven men on 9/11 and Mike “really appreciated” my efforts. Mike told me much of his life and prayed over my mission as I was headed out the door.

One Million Acts Of Kindness Week is always the 2nd Monday in February for a full week. In 2013 it is February 11th through the 17th. There has been big participation the first 3 years. Over 20 groups have already signed up for the upcoming year. One group is a school district in West Virginia where; “Students will perform acts of kindness all year at school and at home.  The school will try to reach One Million Acts Of Kindness by the end of the year.”
This is HUGE news!!!  I encourage all schools to follow suit.
This afternoon I was interviewed for Belgian newspaper, L’ Echo, by US Correspondent Stephanie Fontenoy. She loved the story so much that she is going to pitch it to other newspapers she represents.
This morning, on invite of Captain Falcon, I visited the New York City Parks offices. These men and women are professionals at keeping the peace in the parks.
What a great day of news, riding and visits.

Two boroughs down, three to go!
I finished visiting all Firehouses and Police Precincts in Brooklyn today, but spending many nights here means I will still continue to visit as I ride by into other boroughs.
Community Affairs Officer Boone at the 73rd Precinct loved the thought of kids hearing about The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes. She is getting the school Sergeant from her Precinct involved in spreading my message into her schools.
The Firefighters at Howard Avenue were learning some skills when I rode up on The Kindness Bicycle. These Heroes are big Wounded Warrior supporters. The group shifted their undivided attention to what I had to say for 5 minutes. They expressed their gratitude and conveyed their feelings on the importance of this ride.
Today’s visit to seven Firehouses and one Police Precinct was a perfect way to cap my stay in Brooklyn.

Just a short 25 minute ferry ride from Manhattan, lies Staten Island. It was my 1st venture into this borough and I am happy to know I will be back a few more times in the coming month.
I paid a visit to the 120th Precinct, one of only three Precincts on this island, and found a very interested front desk Patrolman who is notifying Community Affairs to help spread my message.
The Heroes at Engine 155 Ladder 78 were a huge audience. It was an honor riding while wearing a shirt they gave me, bearing the name of Hero Lt. Robert J. Ryan Jr., one of their own, who lost his life in the line of duty nearly 4 years ago.
I caught up with the guys at Marine 9 on Staten Island in the lunchroom as they were finishing lunch. What a great bunch of stories we shared. They talk with pride of the boats that they work on during emergencies, on water and on the shore as far as their water guns will reach. They invited me back to visit every trip I make to this island. With the looks of what they had for lunch, I think I will show up to their “house,” right before noon.

Two months have flown by since I arrived in New York City. I am a bit ahead of my 300 scheduled stops which should allow me a couple of weeks time in September and October to plan for my one year long, Ring Our Country with Kindness bicycle/bus ride around the perimeter of the United States, addressing bullying and adolescent suicide. I will be visiting classrooms across the country along my travels.
This morning I spent around the Natural History Museum talking with people from around the globe. I love the opportunities provided by having The Kindness Bus parked in this location. It is a global captive audience. This afternoon I finished out the day by visiting the remaining Firehouses in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn liking with heroes.