Manhattan’s Battery Park was the finishing line Thursday afternoon for the inaugural U.S. First Responder Ride for Resilience. Cyclists crossed mile 343 of a five‑day, 2,200‑mile route that began in Boston and ended at Ground Zero, marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Honoring sacrifice and supporting survivors
The ride brought together a couple hundred first responders, cancer survivors and civilian supporters. Participants rode in memory of the 343 New York City Fire Department members who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, and to raise money for those still battling cancer and mental‑health challenges caused by their service.
FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief and Manhattan Borough Commander John Corcoran, a 40‑year veteran who was on the scene on 9/11, joined the ride for a portion of the distance. “The idea of helping people. We take this job as firefighters to help people. Definitely not for the pay, and definitely not for the health benefits, because firefighting is a very dangerous job,” Corcoran told The Center Square.
International brotherhood fuels the effort
The ride was organized by Friends of Firefighters, a nonprofit that provides free mental‑health services to FDNY firefighters, in partnership with Livestrong and the Boston Fire Cancer Foundation. It was the third ride of its kind, but the first held in the United States and the first to end at Ground Zero. The first two rides took place in Ireland, reflecting the long‑standing bond between Irish firefighters and the FDNY.
Livestrong President and CEO Suzanne Stone highlighted that connection: “There is just a really tight Irish brotherhood with the FDNY, and so after 9/11, a lot of Irish firefighters came here to help with the cleanup, and they truly bonded. That’s how the first ride happened in Ireland.” About 20 Irish firefighters joined this year’s ride.
Personal stories on the road
Stone recalled a conversation with a fellow rider that stayed with her. While navigating a steep hill, she said, “That’s really hard.” The rider responded, “Yeah, it is, but every time I turn a pedal, I think about one step that one of my brothers was taking when he walked up the tower, and if he could walk one more step, I can pedal one more time.” The exchange underscored the emotional weight carried by participants.
From September 11, 2001, through May 2002, first responders worked tirelessly to locate survivors and later to recover those who had perished. The Ride for Resilience aims to honor that dedication while providing tangible assistance to those still coping with the physical and psychological aftermath of their service.
Fundraising and future rides
Proceeds from the ride will support Friends of Firefighters’ free counseling and mental‑health programs, as well as cancer‑screening initiatives for first‑responder families. Organizers hope the success of the U.S. leg will inspire additional rides in other regions, further strengthening the network of support for those who protect our communities.
The event also served as a reminder that the spirit of service that drove first responders on 9/11 continues to inspire new generations. As cyclists rode the final stretch into Battery Park, the crowd’s applause echoed a shared commitment to resilience, remembrance, and the ongoing care of America’s heroes.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
