Hundreds ride 343 miles from Boston to Ground Zero to honor FDNY 9/11 heroes

Hundreds of first responders, kin of 9/11 victims and the next generation of FDNY firefighters began an incredible 343-mile cycling journey from Boston to the World Trade Center on Sunday.The first-ever 9/11 First Responder Ride for Resilience to Ground Zero is dedicated not only to the department’s heroes who gave their lives Sept.11 but also to the survivors who continue to battle illnesses, injuries and the mental burden of “running in when everyone else is running out,” organizers said.“Being a firefighter is the brotherhood, the togetherness.

… It’s about taking care of our own,” said participant and FDNY Manhattan Borough Commander John Corcoran, a 40-year department veteran and 9/11 first responder.“This ride is another way for us to stand together to make sure our brothers and sisters are never forgotten or left behind.“Every one of us is part of something that’s bigger than ourselves,” he said.“When the alarm goes off in the firehouse, nobody asks, ‘What are we going to? What’s going on?’ They get on that fire truck, and they respond.

It’s just an amazing, amazing group of people.”Corcoran is one of nearly 200 people participating in the five-day adventure, which will conclude with an emotional arrival at Ground Zero on Thursday.The ride was created by the Friends of Firefighters, a non-profit created in the wake of 9/11 that offers free mental -ealth counseling for the FDNY, in partnership with Livestrong.About 14% of firefighters and EMS providers tracked by the World Trade Center Health Program continue to deal with depression, while another 6% are still suffering from PTSD, according to a WTCHP report released last week.It’s the third annual cycling fundraiser hosted by the FoF — the first two of which were held in Ireland alongside Irish firefighters.“We were all surprised the first year how cathartic it was and how helpful it was.… It’s not a counseling trip, but they do share their experiences, good and ...