It is always one message or conversation that seems to determine the direction I head during the day and today it happened early this morning. I have visited Engine 205 and Hook & Ladder 118 in Brooklyn on a few occasions these past couple of months, it is often times the Firehouse I pass most often. Steve, a Firefighter of 5 years talked with me and was nice enough to snap today’s incredible photo. It was then I took a detour into Manhattan and met an incredible family in front of a church, this Sunday morning. Stu, a very youthful octogenarian, was thrilled to hear the specifics of The Kindness Bicycle for Heroes. He and his two daughters and grandson were a joy to talk with. We had the most unbelievable similarities. I spent the rest of the day visiting parks and riding through neighborhoods being viewed by thousands. What a perfect day.

“My son is a Marine, God bless You.”
It is comments like this which makes riding The Kindness Bicycle a pure joy!  It is an honor to hear from family members of those who are keeping us from harm and protecting our liberties and freedom, that they appreciate The Kindness Bicycle for Heroes.
Another mom, soon after, said, “I’ll keep you in my prayers.”

Spending the better part of the day in the neighborhoods of Bushwick and Bedford Stuyvesant allowed me to visit 3 Precincts and 5 Firehouses. A mid-day rain was a welcome relief to some of the recent hot days.
79th Precinct Sergeant came over from her desk to express her support. She is making copies to hang throughout her Precinct.
Detective Jenkins, head of Community Affairs at the 81st Precinct had me to his offices to talk about the impact of my ride. He is posting my flyer announcing the details in the muster room where the officers get their daily briefings.
The visits to all the Firehouses made it clear to me that Firefighters have a quiet pride, a true sign of Heroes.

On this hot humid day on the Upper West Side of New York City, I came across Ladder 25 and its crew. Peter and 6 of his crew were on lunch break waiting for their mechanic to show up. Peter and I talked a bit about The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes. It was during this conversation that I noticed all their gear.
Firefighters wear protective gear, which can weigh as much as sixty pounds. Safety gear commonly includes thick pants and a jacket known as “Bunker Gear,” a helmet, mask, and a breathing apparatus. The tools and portable water packs firefighters use when fighting various types of fire add to both the protection and weight a firefighter must pack while fighting a fire, or performing in an emergency rescue situation. With the heat from the weather combined with the heat of fires and having to perform strenuous acts with all this weight and clothing, it’s no wonder these guys should be known as Heroes.

Visiting 43 Police Precincts since arriving in New York City, one thing is certain, these Heroes are busy beyond belief. Whether they are out on patrol or back at the Precinct, they have their hands full every minute of the day. I am thankful for the time they take to meet with me when I show up unannounced.
I could tell when I met Officer Wilson at the NYPD 69th Precinct, she is a dedicated individual. She serves as the Precinct’s Youth Officer. In addition to working closely with juveniles in Canarsie, Brooklyn, Officer Wilson volunteers her off-duty time to handicapped and blind children, as well as to various homeless and senior services, including safe escort to banks for the elderly. Officer Wilson began her career as a civilian member of the service.
Tim, a Firefighter at the Rogers Street Firehouse was a big help in making sure all my needs were met while out on the road today. Thank you to everyone for their kind words and assistance.

Perfect weather with light overcast skies allowed me to ride from nearly sunrise to sunset. It sure was nice to get a break from the full sun and I made the best of it. I visited seven Firehouses and two Police Precincts.
I am always made to feel like a minor celebrity when I show up at these Firehouses. Several of them already have the flyer I deliver when I pay my visit. One of the men at one of the Firehouses has been faxing it around. Thank you to whoever that may be.
Community Affairs Police Officer Thybulle of the 67th Precinct took the time out of his busy day to meet with me as he was preparing for his Precinct’s “National Night Out Against Crime” event.
This evening I made my way across the Brooklyn Bridge to two of their “Night Out” affairs. They were well attended, with a great mix of community and law enforcement.
I love The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes!

The location The Kindness Bus is parked, near the Natural History Museum in Manhattan, requires that it be moved for the street sweeper. Today was that day. With that done, and the rest of my afternoon free, I thought the best use of time was to visit the Firemen’s Memorial. This nearly century old structure is set on a hillside just east of the Hudson River. It is a beautiful setting for this monument.
Once a year, in October, a ceremony is held to honor those Firefighters who have died in the line of duty during the previous twelve months. On visiting here today, I have decided to attend this sacred ceremony.