0500. It was very uplifting to be met by good friends and familiar faces at the NY border. Most of our team had been awake since Boston. The Connecticut Rolling Flags, led by Bob Eastman, met us at the RI/CT border. These dedicated combat veterans provided patriotic escort all the way to New York city, with no sleep. I am forever grateful. National Director and NY state coordinator Gary Rivensen was happy to see team CT hand over the Flag precisely at our assigned border crossing time. He was accompanied by Donna Stabile and my good friend Mike “Mikey” Stark who arrived with 750 bagels and 2200 half moons. We had enough room in the RV for 6 bagels and 3 half moons. The rest were loaded into our Humvee escort vehicle for distribution to the workers at ground zero (GZ).

The humor and company of my “fresh” friends re-energized those of us who had been awake since Boston. My friend and EMS volunteer, Walter Klauber, kept a close eye on me and had little sleep himself. Under protest from my advisors, I began running off and on, especially on the downhill parts. We were joined by an Irish lad by the name of Kevin Boylan (AA Captain). His sense of humor was all I needed to make it to GZ. Our intersection crossings were secured by Team Thomaston, Officers Terry Hawley and Jeff Madden, until NYPD arrived. As we crossed the bridge into Manhattan, excitement began to build. After the NYPD adjusted our route to GZ, we were joined by Mike Dell of the Pleasant Valley Fire Department. He became our scout/navigator and took on the job of trying to secure my first breakfast burrito.

We were joined about 6 miles north of Ground Zero by Mike Ambuiso of the FDNY. This gentleman ran the entire distance dressed in his full firefighter gear, helmet, jacket, and pants. We ran with Mike the entire leg. He was truly an inspiration and his tribute to his fallen comrades was admirable. We paused at the Fireman’s Memorial, where AA Captain Dan Carey led us in prayer for the victims of September 11.

The rest of the run to GZ was a blur. I attempted to toss out contribution envelopes to the crowd and my first pitch was met with a classic NYC response, “Oh great, just what we need is more litter.” Needless to say, I stopped tossing envelopes.

At GZ, we were met by Officer Jeffrey Ferrara of the NYPD Highway Unit #1. He gave me the news I’d been dreading for the last six miles... only 5 runners allowed to GZ. I had already prepared a prioritized list but hoped I wouldn’t need it. I laid on some serious humor and he chuckled as he relinquished and allowed our entire group, runners, Team Thomaston, and of course my Flag bearer, FDNY Fireman Mike Ambuiso. I had made this decision many miles north but surprised him at GZ.

We walked to GZ, slowly taking in the bustle of activity of the tireless crews. I actually fell behind the group at the security checkpoint and was approached by a trooper for my ID. I flashed my Topdog ID that my daughter had made before I left and bolted past the checkpoint. I’m thankful he didn’t shoot me in the back... I would have.

Ground Zero was everything I expected and more. I attempted to say a prayer but was overcome by emotion and cut it short. We sang God Bless America and the Star Spangled Banner. We solemnly gazed at the site, oblivious to the constant movement of the tireless workers. I silently recited several prayers and admired the cross erected from steel beams. Words cannot do justice to the devastation.

I thought I was finished running for a while but was informed that I was the only one allowed in the Holland Tunnel. “Oh by the way, Mike, we’re two hours behind schedule and Team NJ is waiting”. Great, everyone else gets to go to a party at Moran’s and Mike has to keep running. Whose idea was this anyways?

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