The 10 Firehouse on Liberty Street in Manhattan will be the final visit I make on this 4,000 mile, 9 month Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes. Firehouse 10 is adjacent to the World Trade Center property in New York City. I will be there sometime in mid-October. I have visited every other Firehouse on Manhattan except for the Fireboats, which I will visit on Monday afternoon.
I am having so many powerful interactions with the people I connect with as I make my way through the crowded streets of this city. There is a yearning to get back to a time where core values are embraced for all of us. Looking up to role models who protect our liberties and freedom is another needed value children should be encouraged to seek.

Today I got maximum exposure for The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes in the northern neighborhoods of Brooklyn. One of my stops was the Hicks Street Firehouse in Brooklyn Heights. This was my 5th visit to this Firehouse to once again find them out on a call. It is amazing that I can miss them on so many occasions. The remainder of the day was making sure The Kindness Bicycle was in view in the busiest neighborhoods. I am seeing many people from all over town and all over the country informing me that they have seen or heard about One Million Acts Of Kindness.
The photo I used today is of my nephew’s 7&8 year old baseball team, The Nationals who were undefeated this season. The Lakewood Fire Department sponsored their team. The team posed in front of the 9/11 memorial at the Firehouse. It is my hope, that this age group, who weren’t alive on that day of terror, ever have to live in a world with such hate.

I decided to spend a good portion of this very rainy day at the Vietnam Memorial in Manhattan. I talked with individuals who ventured out into the rain and many who were under cover of adjacent buildings about The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes. This memorial honors all of the New York City residents who made the ultimate sacrifice. The “Walk of Honor,” has a series of twelve polished granite pylons, with the names of all 1,741 United States military personnel from New York City who died as a result of their service in Vietnam, leads to the refurbished memorial. A wall of translucent glass blocks, on which are engraved excerpts of letters, poems, and diary entries written by men and women of the armed forces, as well as news dispatches. A granite shelf runs along the base of the monument, onto which visitors are able to place flowers. Today this redesigned plaza and restored memorial serve as a timeless tribute to the Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Roosevelt Island is located in the middle of the East River and is part of Manhattan. The Special Operations Command of the FDNY is located on Roosevelt Island.
I arrived at the specialty firehouse which handles decontamination, rescue, hazardous spills and many other types of highly skilled services. Most of the training for the firefighters from all the boroughs come here to learn about the importance of how to be safe while working these calls.
Steve, a Firefighter of 29 years spent time talking with me about how this Firehouse is relied upon to do just about anything imaginable that might occur in any of the five boroughs.
With my travels through Queens, I visited the Firehouse on 37th Avenue and a couple of officers from the 110th Precinct. When I told them I had finished my ride in Manhattan, the one Officer responded, “Welcome to Queens.” I think I am on the right track.

This morning came early as I decided to ride to the northernmost reaches of Manhattan. My 1st stop was to the 30th Police Precinct. Two Police Heroes, George and Rod met with me at the front counter. George was enthused about my ride to say the least and asked many great questions. It was a joy to stop here. I visited the 33rd Police Precinct as well and talked with Community Affairs Officer Robinson. She was such a delight to talk with. I loved when she said, “We just don’t see people doing stuff like this for us.” That was all I needed to hear today. It made me feel good about what I am doing but bittersweet that Heroes aren’t appreciated enough.
My 1st Firehouse visit was at the W161st Street Firehouse and they got a call in the middle of our meeting as did the Firehouse on W181st Street and the Vermilyea Avenue Firehouse as well. The Firehouse on W170th Street had fought a huge blaze by Yankee Stadium last night. I guess when it heats up these guys get busier than their already busy schedule.
The photo I used today was taken mid-morning and it was hot already! I think the expression on my face says it all, where is the nearest lawn sprinkler I can ride The Kindness Bicycle through?

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