Paul P's Memorial Miles Log

Coogan's Salsa, Blues & Shamrocks 5K Run

2010-03-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

Coogan’s 12th Annual SALSA, BLUES & SHAMROCK 5K RUN
(begins at Fort Washington Avenue and West 169″ Street)
March 7, 2010

What a beautiful day to kick-off the 2010 running season and how better to do it then with another famous New York City run, the Coogan’s Salas-Blues, Shamrock 5K Run starting at West 173rd Street in Washington Height’s. The scenic route circles the historic Cloisters and returns to 169th Street. New York City Road Runners calls this “the best road race outside of Central Park”. The run starts at 173rd Street a few blocks North of the New York Armory, and for those of you who know running history, this is an indoor track facility that has seen it’s fair share of world class runners come through its doors, in addition it house the USA TRACK AND FIELD HALL OF FAME. This race is a celebration of the strong community ties and rich cultural diversity of northern Manhattan.

There must have been over 4,000 runners of all ages running toady including world class competitors, local celebrities and hundreds of kids running their hearts out. The course is hilly and starts in a very urban New York City setting of Washington Heights in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge, it eventually takes you into Fort Tyron Park, which is a very wooded park with spectacular views of the Harlem River to the East and the Hudson River and the Palisade Cliff’s of New Jersey to the West. If you did not know better when you get to Fort Tyron Park you would not know you were in NYC! Another treat of running in this race is along the course there were Salas Bands, Meringue Bands, Klezmer Bands, Blues and Jazz Bands, Bagpipes and Brass Bands, as well as groups of cheerleader squads and local high school marching bands, this is a real neighborhood celebration!

Proceeds from the race will benefit the newly opened USA TRACK AND FIELD HALL OF FAME and the ARMORY TRACK AND FIELD CENTER.

Races “within the race” also include the Captain Frederick III Jr. race, created in memory of a local firefighter who lost his life in the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Captain III had founded this race, a competition among uniformed service. This year, Captain III’s wife was there to start the race alongside other local dignitaries.

View of G.W. Bridge at Start of Race

Me at "The Armory" at West 168th Street, NYC.

View looking North at the start and View looking South

After the Race!

Big supporter of the race and a real New Yorker!

Rockland Alumni County Cross Country Run

2009-12-06T14:40:00.000-08:00

Rockland Alumni Cross Country Run
November 28, 2009
by: Jamie Kempton

North Grabs Record 9th Men’s Title, Albertus Women Capture 1st
Littmann-Viscardo earns record 8th crown; Nyack’s Rodriguez gets his first

Clarkstown North annexed its record-setting ninth men’s team title and Albertus Magnus captured its first women’s crown at the 27th annual Bill Markiewicz Memorial Rockland Alumni Cross Country Run at Bear Mountain on Nov. 28.

The race, co-sponsored by the Rockland Road Runners, is one of the oldest running events in Rockland County. Fierce, whipping winds buffeted the harriers and hindered performances, but 201 entrants managed to complete the 3-mile layout, which is marked by the steep ski-slope hill halfway through the run.

The Clarkstown North and Monroe-Woodbury men were tied through the regulation five scorers, 82-82. Using the sixth runner as a tiebreaker, the Rams emerged victorious to gain their ninth championship. North previously had shared the record of eight men’s titles with Albertus.

The Falcon women scored 92 points to lay claim to their first championship. They were led by eighth-place finisher Jo Ann Hodges, class of 1985, and 14th-placer Laurel Gilhooly Reilly, class of 1981, who was the Rockland County champion in 1980.

Bert-Justin Rodriguez, Nyack class of 1997, reached the winner’s circle after coming close the past three years. Rodriguez took the lead in the first mile and never relinquished it en route to a winning time of 15 minutes 44.5 seconds. Rodriguez was runner-up in 2007 and finished third in 2006 and last year. Niko Viglione, Somers class of 2005, finished 60 yards behind Rodriguez in 15:57.

Julianne Littmann-Viscardo, Monroe-Woodbury class of 1995, collected her eighth Alumni Run title, more than anyone – male or female – in race history. She had been tied with Art Gunther, Tappan Zee class of 1989, for most individual championships at seven. Littmann-Viscardo, a former Clemson University standout, ran 20:22 for a decisive win over runner-up Suzanne LaBurt, Monroe-Woodbury class of 1981, who clocked 20:48.

Albertus Magnus took the team participation title with 48 finishers, the fourth-highest total in meet history. The former Falcons were mobilized by the efforts of Kevin Russo, class of 1974, one of the original 21 participants in the inaugural Alumni Run in 1983, and John McNiff, class of 1975, president of the school’s track booster organization, the Falcon Spiked Shoe Club.

Overall, 48 high schools from nine states were represented, including schools in California, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota and Virginia. This year’s race also welcomed international participants from Ireland and Canada. The oldest finisher was Bernie Casserly of New City, 68, a 1959 graduate of Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn.

The race is named in honor of Bill Markiewicz, a 1967 Albertus graduate who spent 11 successful years (1978-89) as Clarkstown North’s head cross country and assistant track coach, and was one of Rockland cross country’s most enthusiastic proponents. When he died of cancer in March 1991, the race was renamed in his memory and an award was initiated to recognize an individual who has made a lasting contribution and rendered distinguished service to Rockland cross country.

This year’s Markiewicz Award winner is Ray Sussmann, Pearl River class of 1981, the longtime coach of the Clarkstown/Felix Festa Middle School’s seventh- and eighth-grade cross country teams and the jumps coach for the Clarkstown South track team. Sussman was the senior captain of Pearl River’s 1980 state championship cross country team and has participated in 19 straight editions of the Alumni Run.

Two former Albertus Magnus harriers kept alive their streak of never having missed an Alumni Run: Pat Chambers, class of 1976, the race’s inaugural champion in 1983; and Larry Beckerle, class of 1973, who coached the 1990 Nanuet girls’ cross country team to the state Class C title.

27th annual Bill Markiewicz Memorial Rockland Alumni Cross Country Run
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain, N.Y.
Course: 3.0 miles
Meet records: 14:08, John Trautmann (Monroe-Woodbury ’86), 1994
17:03, Debbie Grant (Ramapo ’83), 1995

Men’s Team Scores: 1. Clarkstown North (CN) 82 (wins on sixth-runner tiebreaker); 2. Monroe-Woodbury (MW), 82; 3. Suffern (Suf), 108; 4. Albertus Magnus (AM), 147; 5. Pearl River (PR), 229; 6. North Rockland (NR), 294; 7. Nanuet (Nan), 346; 8. Tappan Zee (TZ), 424; other teams incomplete.

Women’s Team Scores: 1. Albertus Magnus (AM), 92; other teams incomplete.

Team Participation (Combined): 1. Albertus Magnus, 48; 2. Suffern, 22; 3. Monroe-Woodbury, 21; 4. Clarkstown North, 14; 5. Pearl River, 12; 6. Tie, Nanuet and North Rockland, 9; 8. Tie, Clarkstown South (CS) and Tappan Zee, 6; 10. Spring Valley (SV), 4; 11. Tie, Arlington (Arl), Goshen (Gosh), Millbrook (Mill), Newburgh Free Academy (NFA), 3; 15. Tie, Beacon, C.D. Hylton (Woodbridge, Va.), Nyack (Ny), Somers (So), 2; 18. Tie, Achill (Ireland), Bayside, Bronx H.S. of Science, Burke Catholic, Chaminade, Don Bosco Prep, Dwight-Englewood (N.J.), Erasmus Hall, Fairfield (Conn.), Fargo North (N.D.), Farmington (Conn.), Hendrick Hudson, Hilton, Jesuit, Mahwah, Mepham, Middletown, New Rochelle, Notre Dame College (Welland, Ontario, Canada), Peekskill, Prescott (Wis.), Ramapo, Rosary Academy, Shasta (Redding, Calif.), St. Cloud Apollo (Minn.), St. Gabriel, South Kent (Conn.), Waldwick (N.J.), Westerly (R.I.), Woodside (Calif.), 1.

Women’s Top 20 Individuals (46 women finishers)
1. Julianne Littmann-Viscardo (MW ’95), 20:22; 2. Suzanne LaBurt (MW ’81), 20:48; 3. Dayna McLaughlin (NR ’08), 21:54; 4. Katie Ansorge (Arl ’01), 23:05; 5. Tiffanee Hager (Fargo North, N.D. ’97), 23:10; 6. Leslie Ballantyne (Suf ’92), 23:10; 7. Melissa Ponzio (So ’00), 23:55; 8. Jo Ann Hodges (AM ’85), 24:16; 9. Eileen Naylor (MW ’94), 25:00; 10. Jill Pietropaolo (CS ’06), 25:07; 11. Erica Norey (CN ’00), 25:08; 12. Gail Trautmann (Hilton ’95), 25:21; 13. Liz Rhein (Rosary Academy ’75), 25:24; 14. Laurel Gilhooly Reilly (AM ’81), 25:34; 15. Aime Goldberg (Nan ’94), 25:48; 16. Teresa Kenny (CN ’83), 26:01; 17. Amanda McLaughlin (NR ’04), 26:05; 18. Jeanne Teetsel (AM ’81), 26:38; 19. Patti Zodda (Nan ’88), 28:08; 20. Teresa Scott (CS ’80), 28:42.

Overall Individual Results

1. Bert Rodriguez (Ny ’97), 15:44.5; 2. Niko Viglione (So ’05), 15:57; 3. Kyle O’Brien (MW ’06), 16:03; 4. Paul Lagno (Mill ’08), 16:21; 5. Dylan Kurten (Mill ’09), 16:54; 6. Armando Oliveira (New Rochelle ’85), 17:04; 7. Scott Dickover (Middletown ’06), 17:10; 8. Einar Gary Brissing (Nan ’01), 17:14; 9. Brian Crowley (AM ’82), 17:24; 10. Tom Zarnoch (MW ’08), 17:29; 11. Tom Dillon (CN ’97), 18:00; 12. Michael Koral (Suf ’07), 18:02; 13. unidentified entrant, 18:05; 14. Jason Friedman (CN ’93), 18:12; 15. Mike Pereira (Suf ’09), 18:17; 16. Jamie Kempton (AM ’76), 18:19; 17. Ed Ackerly (MW ’86), 18:21; 18. Mike Morris (CN ’96), 18:27; 19. Pat Driscoll (CN ’98), 18:43; 20. Tom McCarney (CN ’93), 18:49; 21. Andy Kohlbrenner (PR ’81), 18:58; 22. Jamsel Reyes (NR ’01), 19:00; 23. David Blumel (MW ’75), 19:09; 24. Rich Barbera (Suf ’09), 19:31; 25. Matt McKenna (CN ’03), 19:32; 26. Dominick Ponzio (NR ’00), 19:37; 27. Jim Trautmann (MW ’90), 19:54; 28. James Attle (Suf ’98), 19:57; 29. Zack Berbit (Suf ’96), 20:16; 30. Julianne Littmann-Viscardo (MW ’95), 20:22; 31. Tom List (PR ’80), 20:23; 32. Anthony Modafferi (CS ’04), 20:25; 33. Paul Mueller (St. Cloud Apollo, Minn. ’02), 20:30; 34. Alex Berbit (Suf ’99), 20:39; 35. Alfredo Godinez (CN ’08), 20:47; 36. Suzanne LaBurt (MW ’81), 20:48; 37. Patrick Markiewicz (Burke Catholic ’06), 20:49; 38. Kevin Leonard (AM ’76), 20:52; 39. John MacKenzie (TZ ’98), 20:55; 40. Rafael Ortiz (SV ’05), 20:57; 41. Fernando Godinez (TZ ’96), 21:02; 42. Mike Colangelo (AM ’75), 21:06; 43. Chuck Sommerlad (MW ’85), 21:14; 44. George Rhein (Don Bosco ’73), 21:18; 45. Chris Hecht (CN ’01), 21:25; 46. Bob Hermesch (Hen Hud ’68), 21:29; 47. Steven Estremera (Mill ’08), 21:34; 48. John Fenn (AM ’79), 21:36; 49. Tim Hodges (AM ’80), 21:38; 50. Matt Markiewicz (Gosh ’93), 21:43.

51. Brian Kelly (AM ’75), 21:45; 52. Tim Waples (Suf ’00), 21:50; 53. Jerry Quigley (SV ’75), 21:51; 54. Bernard Patten (Achill, Ireland, ’67), 21:53; 55. Dayna McLaughlin (NR ’08), 21:54; 56. Chris O’Brien (MW ’04), 21:55; 57. Mike Bromm (Nan ’78), 21:55; 58. Jim Dugandzic (PR ’81), 22:00; 59. Mike Ward (PR ’81), 22:01; 60. Randall Duggan (Shasta, Redding, Calif. ’88), 22:34; 61. Ian Diamond (Nan ’91), 22:41; 62. David Herbstman (Ramapo ’79), 22:43; 63. Robert Johnston (Suf ’68), 22:44; 64. Matt Diglio (MW ’96), 22:47; 65. Kevin Chanowsky (MW ’94), 22:51; 66. Joel Outten (Fairfield ’98), 22:56; 67. Katie Ansorge (Arl ’01), 23:05; 68. Michael Sciarrillo (Ny ’95), 23:05; 69. Pete Viscardo (MW ’95), 23:06; 70. Chris Craig (AM ’82), 23:06; 71. Tiffanee Hager (Fargo North, N.D. ’97), 23:10; 72. Leslie Ballantyne (Suf ’92), 23:10; 73. Jim Sussmann (PR ’83), 23:14; 74. Ray Sussmann (PR ’81), 23:17; 75. Danny Cruz (NR ’97), 23:20; 76. Ed Hushon (AM ’83), 23:22; 77. Evan Ratnow (Suf ’96), 23:26; 78. Steve Beckerle (AM ’74), 23:35; 79. North Rockland ’94, 23:36; 80. Mike Moran (AM ’83), 23:39; 81. Ed Howard (Mahwah ’72), 23:45; 82. James Whalen (So. Kent, Conn. ‘ 07), 23:48; 83. Dan O’Brien (AM ’77), 23:49; 84. Larry Beckerle (AM ’73), 23:50; 85. Mike Weiss (Suf ’96), 23:51; 86. Edward Meyer (Jesuit ’96), 23:53; 87. Melissa Ponzio (So ’00), 23:55; 88. Keith Reilly (PR ’90), 23:56; 89. Matt Ammer (Suf ’94), 23:57; 90. Ed Casey (PR ’82), 23:59; 91. Josh Levine (Suf ’96), 24:01; 92. Harry Owens (Chaminade ’76), 24:03; 93. Dan Avener (Suf ’65), 24:04; 94. Mark Nedell (Suf ’96), 24:07; 95. Brendan O’Brien (CN ’04), 24:10; 96. Jo Ann Hodges (AM ’85), 24:16; 97. TJ Maglione (MW ’01), 24:34; 98. John McNiff (AM ’75), 24:42; 99. Pat Parietti (Suf ’78), 24:49; 100. Eileen Naylor (MW ’94), 25:00.

101. Adam Borg (CN ’97), 25:02; 102. Jill Pietropaolo (CS ’06), 25:07; 103. Erica Norey (CN ’00), 25:08; 104. Ross Stephens (Arl ’94), 25:17; 105. Chris Ingrassia (AM ’71), 25:18; 106. Tom Maloney (AM ’72), 25:20; 107. Gail Trautmann (Hilton ’95), 25:21; 108. Liz Rhein (Rosary Academy ’75), 25:24; 109. Alan Brandstaedter (CN ’92), 25:26; 110. Mark Hughes (Woodside, Calif. ’70), 25:29; 111. Ben Walker (Notre Dame College, Welland, Ontario, Canada ’85), 25:30; 112. Laurel Gilhooly Reilly (AM ’81), 25:34; 113. Aime Goldberg (Nan ’94), 25:48; 114. Bob Eckerle (TZ ’78), 25:59; 115. Teresa Kenny (CN ’83), 26:01; 116. John Herr (MW ’83), 26:02; 117. Jered Haag (MW ’89), 26:03; 118. Amanda McLaughlin (NR ’04), 26:05; 119. Jim Martin (Peekskill ’65), 26:13; 120. Ralph Cosenza (Suf ’77), 26:26; 121. Jose Reyes (NR ’85), 26:27; 122. Kevin DeSantis (Gosh ’95), 26:35; 123. Jeanne Teetsel (AM ’81), 26:38; 124. Nick Parente (CN ’87), 26:41; 125. Colin Gribbin (NFA ’89), 27:19; 126. Jeff Ratnow (Suf ’89), 27:25; 127. Mike Collins (Mepham ’78), 27:50; 128. Patti Zodda (Nan ’88), 28:08; 129. Bernie Casserly (Erasmus Hall ’59), 28:13; 130. Ken Kinsley (Nan ’81), 28:15; 131. Terry Moore (AM ’77), 28:19; 132. Buddy Gilbert (Beacon ’75), 28:35; 133. Teresa Scott (CS ’80), 28:42; 134. Mike McNamara (AM ’80), 28:48; 135. Rob McNamara (Nan ’86), 28:49; 136. Christine Dolan (MW ’94), 28:51; 137. Jerome Kane (AM ’78), 29:01; 138. Robert Egic (TZ ’68), 29:14; 139. Agnes Brenson (Dwight-Englewood, N.J. ’98), 29:23; 140. Jennifer Gribbin (NFA ’92), 29:29; 141. Pat Chambers (AM ’76), 29:33; 142. Jay Kaplan (SV ’67), 29:38; 143. Aaron Krochmal (CS ’92), 29:41; 144. Mike Greco (PR ’78), 29:42; 145. Tom Kelly (PR ’78), 29:53; 146. Jennifer Markiewicz Wagman (Gosh ’92), 29:59; 147. Mary Vota (AM ’89), 30:13; 148. Kathy List (PR ’91), 30:23; 149. Joanie (Kiggins) Greenwood (AM ’85), 30:29; 150. Bob DeMarco (Beacon ’69), 30:34.

151. Rebecca Ratnow (Suf ’94), 30:45; 152. Mark Markiewicz (C.D. Hylton, Woodbridge, Va. ’95), 30:49; 153. Catherine Dillon (Prescott, Wis. ’96), 31:02; 154. Linda Nedell (Westerly, R.I. ’96), 31:13; 155. Paul Pietropaolo (Nan ’76), 31:32; 156. Ken Gerber (CS ’92), 31:35; 157. J. Lee Snow (MW ’83), 31:38; 158. Gerald Conlon (MW ’84), 31:41; 159. Sue (Gulla) Lanoce (PR ’83), 31:43; 160. Kevin Monahan (MW ’85), 32:12; 161. Neil Coleman (AM ’72), 32:27; 162. Dan Hogan (Suf ’99), 32:35; 163. Jack Arbolino (TZ ’68), 32:35; 164. Steve Kondracki (TZ ’68), 32:48; 165. Chris Markiewicz (C.D. Hylton, Woodbridge, Va. ’95), 33:09; 166. Eric Brandon (Bronx H.S. of Science ’86), 33:20; 167. Karen Brown (AM), 33:26; 168. Mary (Brechbiel) Agnetti (AM ’74), 33:30; 169. Heather Traina-Cruz (NR ’98), 33:36; 170. Mike Markiewicz (AM ’70), 33:42; 171. Maureen Teetsel Hunter (AM ’78), 33:43; 172. Janet Pietropaolo (Nan ’80), 33:54; 173. Peter Markiewicz (CS ’75), 34:13; 174. Lisa Ratnow (Arl ’96), 34:14; 175. Lisa Dietrich (Suf ’94), 34:16; 176. John Leonard (AM ’74), 34:28; 177. Lou Slattery (AM ’77), 34:50; 178. Bonnie Koop (Haverstraw ’66), 34:59; 179. Howie McNiff (AM ’73), 35:21; 180. Sal Viscardo (MW ’91), 35:52; 181. George Hoy (SV ’69), 36:40; 182. Jennifer Sherman (Suf ’96), 36:41; 183. Jeff Sherman (Waldwick, N.J. ’97), 36:42; 184. Vicki Bibbo (St. Gabriel ’73), 37:34; 185. Jonathan Macdonald (Farmington, Conn. ’93), 37:57; 186. Janet McNamara Barron (AM ’79), 38:05; 187. Chip Moreau (AM ’74), 38:07; 188. Kevin Russo (AM ’74), 38:10; 189. Rick Teetsel (AM ’79), 39:52; 190. Frank Cotter (AM ’76), 40:15; 191. Warren Berbit (Bayside ’60), 40:19; 192. Colleen Quinn (AM ’74), 45:44; 193. Brian Beckerle (AM ’08), 45:46; 194. Bill Brown (AM ’77), 46:34; 195. Mike Teetsel (AM ’77), 46:40; 196. Joe Gibaldi (AM ’77), 46:41; 197. Cathy Gibaldi (AM ’83), 46:41; 198. Neil Galeota (AM ’77), 46:42; 199. Madeline Mulligan (AM ’77), 46:43; 200. Matt Mulligan (AM ’75), 46:44; 201. Janet Jasinski Swinnich (AM ’77), 46:45.

USS New York

2009-11-08T16:32:00.001-08:00

November 7, 2009
Commissioning Ceremony

This Memorial Miler had the honor and privilege to attend the November 7, 2009 commissioning ceremony for the USS New York in New York City at the Intrepid Museum on Pier 86! It was a very emotional ceremony and I was glad I was on hand with my wife Susan and the many other families who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center attacks to see the commissioning of the Navy and Marines newest amphibious assault ship.

Built with 7½ tons of World Trade Center steel salvaged from the fallen Twin Towers, she officially went into active duty, becoming the Navy's newest warship - and a proud symbol of fortitude.

As the command rang out: "Bring the ship to life!", I got a lump in my throat as the crew members in their dress blues ran into position and stood at attention along the rails, the radar antennas began to revolve, black smoke poured from three stacks, sirens blared and the whistle blew, she became an official US Navy Warship!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave young crew members of the USS New York, and we wish her “Fair Winds and Following Seas”.

The Ship's Crest

Seven rays of sunlight signify the crown atop the Statue of Liberty and the seven seas.
Central focus placed on the Twin Towers and the bow of the ship, forged from Twin Towers steel.
Breastplate of the phoenix bears the colors of first responders from the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Blood drops represent the fallen.
Three stars for those earned by the battleship USS NEW YORK (BB34) in World War II at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and North Africa.

From the NY Daily News (11-08-09):

"The New York will be a visible testament to our resilience," said Navy Secretary Ray Mabus as the first watch was set and hundreds of sailors and Marines ran onto the decks of the ship, a tradition signaling the official commissioning of the vessel.

Cmdr. Curt Jones, a native New Yorker, took command during an emotional ceremony at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum attended by more than 6,000 people, including Secretary of State Clinton, Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg.

"There is a lot of emotion that is associated with this ship for all of us," Jones said. "The steel that is in the bow of the ship, that motivates us literally every day in what we do."

The ship, which has a crew of about 360 sailors, will be docked at Pier 88 until Thursday, when it heads to its home port at Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia.

"This ship has been the product of a lot of hard work," Paterson said. "It is not just named the New York - it IS New York."

Clinton said the New York will help the nation heal, more than eight years after the World Trade Center attack. "In that steel, burned but unbroken, lives the spirit we saw on 9-11," she said. "Sometimes our pain can lead us to purpose."

Mike Petters is the president of Northrop Grumman, which built the ship in Avondale, La. "We needed this ship," Petters said. "New York needed this ship. And America needed this ship."

For Carl Scheetz, a firefighter with Rescue 1 in Hell's Kitchen, the ship is a reminder of the city's strength. "To me it's a show of resiliency to the whole tragedy that happened," he said. "The crew members are great. I met a Marine and went to say 'Thank you' to him. He said, 'No, sir, thank you very much.' "We have a lot in common," Scheetz said.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/11/07/2009-11-07_uss_new_york_comes_to_life.html#ixzz0WJVuaFOn

Commission Web site: worth a visit!
http://www.ussny.org/commissioning.php

The bow stern of the USS New York - Built with 7½ tons of World Trade Center steel salvaged from the fallen Twin Towers!

Princeton Chase

2009-11-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

Princeton Chase
October 26, 2009

We went to Princeton University to see Jill and the Villanova Women's crew team compete in the 2009 Princeton Chase. The course is over 3 miles long on a beautiful lake on the campus of Princeton University in the Great State Of New Jersey!

Captain Jill and here teammates get ready!

Out on the Lake!

Paul, Matt and Vincent on the edge of the course cheering on Villanova!

In between races we took a hike on the old tow path of the Delaware and Raritan Canal located near the race course!

Light the Night Walk

2009-10-19T18:26:00.001-07:00

Light The Night Walk:
Taking Steps Toward Cures
Nyack Memorial Park
October 17, 2009

Each year, in communities all across the United States and Canada, families, friends, neighbors and teams from local businesses and national companies come together for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS's) Light The Night Walk events to bring help and hope to people battling blood cancers.

Light The Night Walk events are evenings filled with inspiration. Carrying illuminated balloons - white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer - thousands of walkers - men, women and children - form a community of caring, bringing light to the dark world of cancer.

This year we walked in support of the effort and for our friend Jeff Bloom - survivor.

Jeff Bloom
Jeff Bloom was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) in the spring of 2006. After three months of aggressive chemotheraphy, followed by 22 days of radiation, Jeff was considered in remission. During that time, Jeff lost his hair, which upset his seven-year-old daughter. She decided to do her part to help by donating her long hair to "Locks for Love," which uses human hair to make wigs for children receiving cancer treatments.

Lori, Sue and Eileen - Paul with his new friend Bullwinkle

Hudson River Ramble

2009-10-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning October 17, 2009 started out as a cold rainy day, but I decided to put on my running gear and head up to Bear Mountain to see if I could catch some of the fall foliage. I took off on my “Hudson River Ramble” heading North on Route 9W, which has great views of the Hudson River all along the trip.

On my way through Haverstraw heading into Stony Point, I remember a place my father would take us as kids and he would stop along the way to show us the “Mothballed” fleet World War II troop transport ships that were moored there. Today there is only monument to remember their service. I stopped to view the monument and remember the found times I had with my dad.

The weather continued to hold so I continued on my way to Bear Mountain; it must have been that kind of day, as you leave the monument which is just about at the level of the river bank, the road makes a sharp climb up a steep and windy mountain side. I start to laugh as I remember the time Jill was learning t drive and we were heading up this same road and when we got about half way up I noticed there was no longer any guardrail, as it had been removed for construction. Now let me tell you, the edge was close, the cliff was steep, but we had no choice but to keep going. Neither one of said a word, when we finally got to the top and began to head down the other side, we both looked at each other and started to laugh. Anyway it was a moment I will always remember every time I am on that stretch of road.

I finally got to Bear Mountain and decide I would run over the Bear Mountain Bridge, so I headed out from the lodge and made for the bridge. While running the bridge I was passed by cadets from the West Point marathon team, they passed me like I was standing still. Once on the bridge I had to stop and take a few photos, the view is great and I am glad I made the effort to do it.

After my run, continued my Hudson River Ramble by heading to the historic Stony Point Battlefield and Lighthouse. The last time I had visited the Stony Point Light House was almost 40 years ago. We had come as cub scouts, my mother as den mother would often take us the parks or points of interest in the area. As the Hudson Valley area is rich with history we did a lot of great field trips.

After the Stony Point Light House, I stopped at the Stony Point Memorial Park and visited their September 11, 2001 memorial. I finally made my way home and headed to the Nanuet – Pearl River “Little Brown Jug” football game. This is a big game between my high school (Nanuet) and my wife’s high school (Pearl River). I am happy to report that Nanuet won 41 – 0. Go Knights!
On a normal Saturday that would be have been more than enough to do for one day, but I still had more thing to do that night. We were going to participate in the “Light Up The Night” walk to support the cure for cancer, but on that in my next blog!

National Defense Reserve Fleet Monument
Route 9W, Stony Point, NY

The National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) was established under Section 11 of the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 to serve as a reserve or “mothballed” of ships for national defense and national emergency purposes. The NDRF anchorages were originally located at Stony Point in New York, Fort Eustis in the James River in Virginia, Wilmington in North Carolina, Mobile in Alabama, Beaumont in Texas, Benicia in Suisun Bay in California, Astoria in Oregon and Olympia in Washington. At its peak in 1950, the NDRF had custody of 2,277 ships.

NDRF vessels are now located at the James River, Beaumont and Suisun Bay anchorages and at designated port facility berths. The program primarily consists of dry cargo ships with some tankers and military auxiliaries. As of April 1, 2009, there were 180 vessels in the NDRF. A Ready Reserve Fleet component was established in 1976 as a subset of the NDRF to provide rapid deployment of military equipment. Later, this became known as the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), which now numbers 50 vessels. In addition to maintaining ships for USTRANSCOM logistics, the Missile Defense Agency sponsors 2 ships for missile tracking. One vessel is currently operational and a second vessel is schedule to be delivered in FY2010. An additional 23 non-NDRF ships are also held for other Government agencies on a cost-reimbursable basis.

The plaque reads:
This Plaque Commemorates The Hudson River National Defense Reserve Fleet Moored At This Point In The River From April 1946 To April 1971. At Peak Of Activity, 189 WW II Cargo And Passenger Ships Were Anchored Here. These Ships After Heroic WW II Service Were Retained Here For Possible Further Need, During Years Of Grain Surplus They Acted As Floating Silos. Many Were Called Upon To Carry Food, Fuel And Other Essential Supplies To Aid Our Overseas Friends And To Support Our Armed Forces Abroad. They Served Their Country Well.
Erected By U.S. Department of Commerce Maritime Administration July 1971

Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park in Bear Mountain, N.Y., has something for everyone. From miles of hiking trails to an inn with all the comforts of home, the park offers nature in all of its glory for both the avid outdoors man as well as those just out for a scenic Sunday stroll.
Nestled along the Hudson River, Bear Mountain was so-named because the profile of the mountain resembles a bear lying down.

Park History
Now part of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, the area was saved in the early 1900s as development along the river began to destroy much of the area's natural beauty.
Numerous efforts were made at the turn of the century to turn much of the Hudson Highlands, the area along the Hudson River from about Peekskill to Newburgh, to a forest preserve. All of these, however, were unsuccessful until the state of New York tried to relocate Sing Sing Prison to Bear Mountain. It was then that some of the wealthy businessmen who had made homes in the area went to work.

Led by Union Pacific railroad president E.W. Harriman, a group of wealthy and influential businessman donated land as well as large sums of money for the purchase of other properties in the area. Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park became a reality in 1910. By 1914, estimates showed more than a million people a year coming to the park. Camping became popular here, with the average stay logged at eight days, and it was a favorite for Boy Scouts.
Bear Mountain remains popular today, welcoming more visitors every year than Yellowstone National Park. Hiking, boating, picnicking, swimming, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating as well as a zoo and trail side museums; continue to draw families to the park.

official park Web site.

A trail of history – The Appalachian Trial
The first section of the Appalachian Trial was created at Bear Mountain, taking hikers south to the Delaware Water Gap. It opened on Oct. 7, 1923, and served as a pattern for the other sections of the trail, developed independently by local and regional organizations and then joined.

In the mid-1930s the federal government led by Franklin D. Roosevelt was embarking on its own plan to preserve the environment. The Depression-era public works programs, including the Civil Works Administration and then the Work Progress Administration, spent five years on projects at Bear Mountain State Park.

Pump houses, reservoirs, sewer systems, vacation lodges, bathrooms, homes for park staff, storage buildings and an administration building were all created through these programs. A scenic drive to the top of the mountain, called Perkins Memorial Drive, was also constructed -- almost totally by hand. And although construction equipment and newer easier-to-work-with building materials were available for use at the time, planners wanted these new buildings constructed with the same principles and designs used to build the lodge in 1915. Workers used stone, boulders and timber to construct the new buildings, a process which took them five years.

Bear Mountain Bridge
CROSSING THE HIGHLANDS: The Bear Mountain Bridge, the southernmost crossing administered by the New York State Bridge Authority, carries US 6 and US 202 across the Hudson River, from Bear Mountain State Park at the northern tip of Rockland County to the northwestern corner of Westchester County. On the western approach, which actually lies in Orange County (the Orange-Rockland border runs diagonally between the toll plaza and the superstructure), the bridge connects to US 9W and the Palisades Interstate Parkway. On the eastern approach, the bridge connects to NY 9D.

Plans for the bridge date as far back as 1868, when the first charter for a railroad bridge was obtained. The initial proposal by General Edward W. Serrell, which was featured in a Harper's Weekly article, employed a suspension span design similar to that of the Brooklyn Bridge. The truss-stiffened deck was to be supported over the Hudson River by four main cables and two masonry towers. Despite three attempts at starting construction, none of them got past the initial stages.

As the twentieth century began, private ferry companies initiated passenger service in the Highlands. When nearby Bear Mountain State Park opened in 1916, it quickly became a popular destination for New Yorkers. Before long, getting to and from the park meant long delays at the ferry terminal, or during nighttime or winter periods, not getting across at all. Even when they were available, ferries crossing the river between Peekskill and Bear Mountain State Park had waits of as much as four hours.The Bear Mountain Bridge was the first vehicular river crossing between New York City and Albany. At the time it was built, it was also the longest suspension bridge in the world and the first suspended bridge to have a concrete deck.

The project of building the Bear Mountain Bridge marked the beginning of a golden age of long span bridge building along the Hudson River and throughout the New York metropolitan area. The success of the inventive methods used broke new ground and paved the way for the building of other suspension bridges such as the George Washington and the Golden Gate.
ENGINEERING: Construction of the bridge began immediately following the March 24, 1922 signing of the contract. The Bear Mountain Bridge would be the longest suspension bridge in existence. The location was unusually well-suited for a suspension bridge as the river narrows at this point and the rock formation provides a natural foundation for the piers and necessary anchorages for the cables.

The three year time limit imposed upon the Bear Mountain Hudson River Bridge Company to construct the bridge however, played an interesting part in its final look. There was considerable public concern that the scenic beauty of the Highlands would be marred by the “tin frumpery” of the bridge. An editorial in the New York Times dated July 20, 1923, entitled “An Infliction of Ugliness on the Hudson” chastised the Bear Mountain Hudson River Bridge Company for its plans to build a bridge “wholly out of accord with the scenery around it and indicative only of a desire on the part of the builders to make it as cheaply as they can.”

In a New York Times article the next day, J.B. White, President of the Palisades Park Commission came to the defense of the bridge design, declaring that the published plans were out of date and that changes to the project were being made. Many argued for the use of masonry towers rather than steel but that would have made the construction deadline impossible to meet. Baird and Hodges, the design engineers, made modifications to the portals to provide a more “tunnel-like” appearance, mimicking the contours of the bridge’s surroundings.
Work on the east highway approach began in April 1923. The road is cut out of the south face of Anthony’s Nose to the east at an elevation of 410 feet above the river. Almost the entire structure of the roadway required excavation and fill. Due to the granite terrain, 70% of the material had to be drilled and blasted. The road was accessible only at the eastern end and to add to the complexity of the construction, the New York Central Railroad tracks where situated directly below 5,000 feet of the highway. This meant that all methods of construction in this section of the highway had to revolve around the continuous and safe operation of the railroad. Just 20 months and four days after the contract was signed, the longest suspension bridge in the world was completed without the loss of a single life.

In 2006, additional support cables were constructed and a supplemental anchorage was embedded into the bedrock on the south side of the bridge. These new cables allow the Bridge Authority to constantly monitor changing conditions.

Stony Point Light House - Stony Point Battlefeild

Stony Point Lighthouse, the oldest on the Hudson, marked the entrance to the Hudson Highlands for nearly a hundred years and was built in 1826, the result of a contract between Thomas Phillips, of New York City, and Jonathan Thompson, Superintendent of Lighthouses. The specifications called for the construction of "an octagonal Pyramid, to be built of blue split stone and the best quick lime and sand mortar" to serve as a beacon for the increased river traffic created by the opening of the Erie Canal the previous year. The building plan stated that the tower was to be twenty feet above the water table and have three stories and a cellar for the storage of whale oil. A wooden stairway would lead from the first floor to the second, and a wooden ladder would connect the second floor with the lantern -- the name given to the glass-enclosed top of the lighthouse. On December 1, the lighthouse, complete with copper roof and ventilator, was finished -- at a cost of $3,350.

Included in the price, Phillips also constructed a "dwelling house," the first of three on the site, for the keeper of the light. The keeper was at his (or her) post year-round and often round-the-clock, especially during hazardous weather conditions, performing the primary duty of making sure that the light was on, and that it was properly maintained. This included keeping the oil containers full and the reflectors or lenses clean, and making sure the fog signal operated during inclement weather.

Originally -- though not at Stony Point -- cannons were fired to guide ships through foggy weather when the light was not visible, but in the 19th century, bells came into use. They were rung by hand until devices were created to ring them mechanically. The Stony Point fog bell was installed in a nearby tower in 1857. In 1876, the fog bell was attached to the lighthouse, and in 1890 was moved by the water's edge to another tower with a white light on top. The bell rang every fifteen seconds in foggy weather using a clockwork type mechanism that had to be wound by hand. When the mechanism failed, the bell still had to be rung, occasionally by sledgehammer.
The keepers of Stony Point Lighthouse -- some eight men and women in all -- performed these tasks with dedication and vigilance, with the result that in the lighthouse's period of operation (1826 - 1925), only one vessel ran aground - the steamer Poughkeepsie in March 1901 - with no loss of life.

Different kinds of fuel were developed over the years. Coal and Tallow were used in early European lighthouses, but oil lamps were used in the United States lighthouse system. Whale oil was the standard fuel for many years, but when its price increased, lard oil gradually replaced it. This fuel was used primarily until 1877, when kerosene became available. By the end of the 19th century, electric lights had begun to supersede the oil lamp system.

Lighting methods varied as well and innovations occurred. In 1781, the Argand lamp, which had a hollow, circular wick, was invented, producing an intense, smokeless flame. Later, parabolic reflectors with highly polished surfaces were used to increase the intensity of the lamp and project it toward the water. The light sources were set at a predetermined distance from the center of the reflector, and the light was intensified and focused into a beam. Multiple lamps were used in order to make the light visible over a wide arc. In 1838, the lighting apparatus at Stony Point was listed as having seven lamps with spherical reflectors, arranged on two horizontal tables.

In 1822, however, Augustin Jean Fresnel, a Frenchman, designed a lens that used a number of beveled glass prisms which collected and focused the light rays from the lamp in a horizontal beam, thus greatly magnifying the light's intensity. The result was a system that made other methods obsolete. Fresnel lenses were classified in orders from one to six, the lowest number being the largest and most powerful. First-order lenses were coastal beacons, and sixth-order lenses generally marked minor harbors or river channels. In 1856, the Stony Point Lighthouse received a fifth-order Fresnel lens, which was replaced by a more powerful fourth-order Fresnel lens in 1902.

Different colored lights were used to facilitate identification. The three standard light colors used were white, red and green. A light station might employ any one of the three colors, or two or more colors combined in a pattern called a characteristic. In almost all cases, white was used for lights indicating land because of greater visibility.

Lights were also designated as fixed or flashing. Originally, the Stony Point light was a fixed white beam, projected at an angle of 270 degrees and visible primarily from the south and east. In 1902, the white light on top of the fog bell tower near the shoreline was changed to red, possibly to avoid confusion with the white light from the lighthouse. The present restored light is operated automatically by solar power and uses a period fourth-order Fresnel lens, which projects a flash of light every four seconds.

In 1925 the original lighthouse was decommissioned and replaced by a steel light tower built near the shoreline. The light tower was manually operated until it was automated by the US Coast Guard in 1973. In 1986, the exterior of the lighthouse was repaired, painted and the lantern re-glazed. On October 7, 1995, the lighthouse, with an exhibit, a restored interior, and a period fourth-order Fresnel lens, was reopened to the public and the light activated for the first time in 70 years.

Visiting the Lighthouse
Through the efforts of the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, the Palisades Park Interstate Commission, and NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, restoration of the lighthouse began in 1986. The exterior was repaired and painted and the lantern was re-glazed. On October 7, 1995, restoration was complete, and the light was activated for the first time in 70 years. The automatic light, operated by solar power, beams a flash of light once every four seconds.

The lighthouse is open to the public with exhibits, restored interior, and a period fourth-order Fresnel lens. Tours of the lighthouse are available on a regular basis on weekends. Although the lighthouse is relatively short, ascending the steps requires caution as they are extremely steep.
Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site is open April 15 to October 21 on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am until 5pm, Sundays from 1pm till 5pm. Also open on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Limited hours during the rest of the year.

Stony Point, NY Memorial Park - September 11, 2001 Monument

Pearl River High School, Pearl River NY – September 11, 2001 Monument

Peirmont, NY - October 11, 2009

WTC October 16, 2009

2009-10-18T11:44:00.001-07:00

October 16, 2009 site inspection - Memorial area.

Future Memorial Plaza

Paul at the base of north waterfall

Jerry Del. and Mike T

Bob, Anthony and Don

Brooklyn Navy Yard

2009-10-18T11:06:00.001-07:00

On October 6, 2009 we took a field visit to the Brooklyn Navy Yards to see the National September 11th Memorial Museum waterfall mock-up. It was a beautiful fall day and a great morning to view the mock-up. It was very nice to see the waterfall mock-up and the attention to detail that is going to the project. You really get an idea of how grand and yet solemn the site is going to be!

At the Waterfall Mock-up.

The mock-up is located adjacent to the Old Naval Hospital. Located in front of the Naval Hospital is the Barrier Forte Monument.

About the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY): The Brooklyn Navy Yard, once known as America’s premier shipbuilding facility, is today known for so much more. With such diverse businesses as movie studios, furniture manufacturers, ship repairers, architectural designers, electronics distributors and jewelers, the Brooklyn Navy Yard isn’t just filled with a storied past. It's also filled with a promising future.

The History of BNY
1625: Sarah Rapelje, allegedly the first European born in the Nieuw Netherlands colony is delivered on this bay in the area of Brooklyn known by the Lenape Indians as "Rennegachonk".
1637: Walloon Jansen de Rapelje purchases 335 acres of Rennegachonk territory from Dutch West India Trading Company. The land is renamed Waal Boght, from the dutch meaning either “Bend in the River” or “Bay of Walloons”. This later becomes Wallabout Bay.
1776-1783: NEW YORK CITY’S OCCUPATION AT THE TIME OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION - As many as 11,000 die on the British prisoner ships moored off Wallabout Bay, the most infamous being the Jersey, where American soldiers, merchants and traders are imprisoned for disobeying the British embargo.1781: John Jackson and his brothers purchase from Cornelius Remsen a parcel of the Rapelje land where they build the area’s original shipyard on the muddy marshlands.
1798: The US Government commissions from Jackson the 28-gun frigate USS Adams. She serves with distinction, sailing to the West Indies during the Quasi-War with France, and later patrolling the East Coast to protect American commerce. Finally, she is burnt by her crew to avoid British capture in the War of 1812.
1806: Lieutenant Jonathan Thorn, US Navy, takes command of the United States Navy Yard at New York, working under verbal orders from the Secretary of the Navy Yard. He is Commandant for one year only, and in 1811 is killed with his crew on John Jacob Astor's Tonquin near Vancouver Island.
1814: Congress allocates funds for the construction of the United States’ first steam-powered warship, the Fulton Steam Frigate, also known as Demologos and Fulton the First. Though her trials prove steam technology sound, the Fulton tours only once around New York Harbor and is then after kept at the Yard as a receiving ship.
1820: The Ohio, first ship constructed at the Yard and put to use, is launched.
1824: The Government purchases from Sarah Schenck the 25 acres of property on which the Naval Hospital now stands.
1837: ADVENT OF STEAM ENGINEERING The first U.S. steam warship assigned to sea duty, the 9-gun side-wheel steamer Fulton II is launched.
1838: MARITIME MEDICINE ADVANCES The Government builds the Naval Hospital.
1841-1843: Matthew C. Perry serves as Yard Commandant.
1857: USS Niagara is launched and soon off to England to lay the first trans-Atlantic telegraph cable.
1860-1866: The Yard serves as a key depot for the distribution of stores and supplies to the Union fleet. The Naval Laboratory at the Yard prepares most of the medicines used by the Union Navy during the Civil War.
1862: THE CIVIL WAR IRONCLADS The USS Monitor is outfitted and commissioned (having been built, clad and launched at the Continental Shipyard in Greenpoint) prior to the famous "Battle at Hampton Roads" against the CSS Virginia (ex-Merrimac).
1895: EXPLOSION SPARKS THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR - The launch of the USS Maine begins the "battleship era". Its sinking three years later off Havana Harbor sparks the Spanish-American War. "Remember the Maine!"
1906: The USS Connecticut, built in 1904, is commissioned, and serves as flagship of the Great White Fleet.
1907: Opera singer Eugenia Farrar sings the first song broadcast over wireless radio. “I love you truly” broadcasts to test Dr. Lee DeForest’s arc radiotelephones on the USS Dolphin, docked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The test is successful and the Government commissions DeForest to supply the Great White Fleet with 26 of the radiotelephones.
1914-1918: During WWI the Yard workforce increases from 6,000 to 18,000.
1915: The USS Arizona is launched.
1941: CALL TO ARMS - December 7, the Japanese sink the USS Arizona, engaging the United States in WWII.
1944: The USS Missouri is launched.
1945: JAPAN SURRENDERS - September 2, Japan signs its unconditional surrender on the USS Missouri a.k.a. "Mighty Mo", thus ending the war.
1955-1960: Aircraft super carriers USS Saratoga, Constellation and Independence are built here during the Korean War.
1960-1965: Near the end of its days as an active naval base, the Yard builds 6 amphibious transport Landing Platform Docks, the last launched being the LPD Duluth.
1966: BROOKLYN NAVY YARD CLOSES - Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara closes the Brooklyn Navy Yard along with over 90 other military bases and installations. At the time of its closing, the Brooklyn Navy Yard employs more than 9,000 workers and is the oldest continually active industrial plant in New York State.
1967: THE NEW YORK CITY PURCHASE Two hundred and sixty acres of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, housing nearly all of its industrial sites, are sold to the City of New York for $24,000,000.
1971: The Yard is reopened as a City-owned industrial park under the management of a Local Development Corporation called Commerce Labor and Industry in the County of Kings or "CLICK."
2007: A THRIVING INDUSTRIAL PARK - The Brooklyn Navy Yard today operates as a thriving industrial park with over 40 buildings, 230 tenants and 5,000 employees. As it undertakes the Yard’s greatest expansion since WWII, BNYDC is pursuing its mission to create and retain industrial jobs in New York City with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and the celebration of the Yard’s rich history.

Don't forget to visit:
Brooklyn Navy Yard at Building 92
Selected Historic BNY Images available through flickr.com

Total Miles Through September 2009

2009-10-02T19:34:00.001-07:00

Total Miles Walked/Run through 09/30/09: 1,012 Miles

In support of the Stephen Siller foundation I ran in Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk. It was a rainy day, but it was a great event!

Linda, Vito, Paul and Vinny on site September 25, 2009 at base of Tower One.

Memorial Miles meet to celebrate 1 year of walking and running for the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001.

Fort Lee Histroric Park

2009-09-15T19:28:00.001-07:00

August 31, 2009
Fort Lee Historic Park, Bergen County, NJ

On an August 31, 2009 late in the day Memorial Miler Paul Pietropaolo stopped by the Fort Lee Historic Park and the New Jersey Section of the Palisades Interstate Park in Bergen County to check out the view of the George Washington Bridge and explore this section of the park. While on the shore of the Hudson River, I could see the famous “Little Red Lighthouse” under the George Washington Bridge on the Manhattan side. It is amazing to realize all the history and natural beauty of the area; I have seen a lot of very wonderful things on my Memorial Mile walks and runs!

Palisades Interstate Park New Jersey Section
Located in northeastern Bergen County, New Jersey, a beautiful park that is part of the more than 100,000 acres of parkland's and historic sites managed by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. The land in the NJ Section was the first that the Commission acquired after its creation in 1900 by the states of New York and New Jersey. The Commission had been formed to prevent the defacement of the famous Palisades of the Hudson by a handful of large stone quarries then in operation.

The NJ Section about 12 miles long and half-a-mile wide at its widest, with 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shore front and uplands, including some of the most impressive sections of the Palisades.

The Palisades have been designated a National Natural Landmark, the Palisades Interstate Park a National Historic Landmark. Both the Long Path and the Shore Trail have been designated National Recreation Trails.

Fort Lee Historic Park
Fort Lee Historic Park is set on 33 landscaped acres atop the Palisades just south of the George Washington Bridge, with spectacular overlooks of the Hudson, Manhattan, and the George Washington Bridge. There is a Visitor Center and Museum, reconstructed 18th Century soldier hut and campsite, and reconstructed gun batteries.

Fort Lee Historic Park's significance came about during the 1776 British campaign to control New York City and the Hudson River. In July of 1776, work was begun on this site, which was eventually named for General Charles Lee, who aided in the defense of New York City. On the opposite New York shore, work had already begun on Fort Washington.On July 12, Admiral Richard Howe sent two British naval vessels up the Hudson River. Cannon fire from Fort Washington had little effect on their passage. Washington then ordered that work on Fort Lee continue as quickly possible.

On August 22, the British landed on Long Island and five days later forced the Americans to retreat to New York City. Through September and October, the British and American forces were involved in battles at New York City, Harlem Heights, and White Plains. The British then turned their forces against Fort Washington.

On November 16, Fort Washington fell to an overwhelming assault by the British forces, which captured over 2,000 American troops.General Washington, realizing that with the loss of Fort Washington, that Fort Lee was of little military value, made preparations to evacuate his remaining army through New Jersey.

On November 20, General Cornwallis ferried about 5,000 men across the Hudson north of Fort Lee. When word reached Washington, he ordered an immediate retreat before his army was cut off and captured by the British.

Most of the American supplies and artillery had to be left behind. These were indeed the darkest days for the Revolution and led to Thomas Paine's famous words, "These are the times that try men's souls…"

Fort Lee has been named as a significant stop on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Revolutionary War trail.

The Little Red Lighthouse:
Located in Fort Washington Park, 178th Street and the Hudson River, is Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse acquired its affectionate nickname from Hildegarde H. Swift’s 1942 children’s classic, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge.

Illustrated by Lynd Ward, this tale of the friendship between the tiny beacon and the George Washington Bridge introduced children around the world to the red, round, and very, very proud little lighthouse in New York.

Built in 1880, the 40-foot tower was moved in 1921 to Jeffrey’s Hook, a rocky point on the Hudson River near Manhattan’s northern edge. The Lighthouse warned ships away from the shore as they made their way down the narrow channel between New York and New Jersey.
However, when construction of the George Washington Bridge was completed in 1931, the brilliant lights of the bridge’s 600-foot towers overwhelmed the little Lighthouse. In 1947, it was officially decommissioned and abandoned, and by 1951, the Little Red Lighthouse was slated for demolition – its cast-iron shell to be sold for scrap.

Hearing this news, thousands of children who had loved Swift’s book started a nationwide campaign to save the Little Red Lighthouse. Thanks in part to their efforts; ownership of the Lighthouse was transferred from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

Today, visitors climb a long, iron stair to the top of the tower, where the lantern room is again fitted with a working lens that blinks proudly at cargo barges and passenger ships sailing under the George Washington Bridge.

The Little Red Lighthouse is owned by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and is a member of the Historic House Trust and is located in Fort Washington Park, 178th Street and the Hudson River, Manhattan. The lighthouse is open on a regular basis for tours from Spring thru Fall, led by Urban Park Rangers. Call ahead for schedule and information. Inside the lighthouse are historical exhibits on the lighthouse and area.

To reach the lighthouse, located in Fort Washington Park, drive your car or take the "A" train to West 181 Street. Walk west on 181 St, down the hill toward the Hudson River, cross the pedestrian foot bridge just north of 181 St. and follow the winding path into the park and the lighthouse.

The Little Red Lighthouse stopped being used as a functional lighthouse long ago, but over the years, this 40-foot-high structure has become a beacon of another kind.Located underneath the George Washington Bridge along a treacherous section of the Hudson River once known as Jeffrey’s Hook, this is one of the few surviving lighthouses in New York City and serves as a quaint reminder of the area’s history.

Long ago, Native Americans known locally as the Wiechquaesgeck-part of the Lenape tribe inhabited much of the upper Manhattan and eastern New Jersey. The Wiechquaesgeck, and later the Dutch and English colonists, fished and hunted along the banks of the Hudson River.

The Hudson was also an important route for travel, connecting upstate cities such as Albany to New York City and the Atlantic Ocean. As traffic increased along the river, so did the number of shipwrecks at Jeffrey’s Hook. In an attempt to reduce accidents, a red pole was placed at Jeffrey’s Hook jutting out over the river to warn travelers of danger.

In 1889, two 10-candlepower lanterns were placed on the pole to aid navigation. Much of the land surrounding the lighthouse, including the riverbanks of Jeffrey’s Hook, was acquired by the City in 1896, and became known as Fort Washington Park.In the early 20th century, barge captains carrying goods up and down the Hudson demanded a brighter beacon.

The Little Red Lighthouse had originally been erected on Sandy Hook, New Jersey in 1880, where it used a 1,000 pound fog signal and flashing red light to guide ships through the night. It became obsolete and was dismantled in 1917. In 1921, the lighthouse was reconstructed on Jeffrey’s Hook in an attempt to improve navigational aids on the Hudson River.

Run by a part-time keeper and furnished with a battery-powered lamp and a fog bell, the lighthouse, then known as Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, was an important guide to river travelers for ten years. The George Washington Bridge opened in 1931, and the brighter lights of the bridge again made the lighthouse obsolete.

In 1948, the Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse, and its lamp was extinguished.The Coast Guard planned to auction off the lighthouse, but an outpouring of support for the beacon helped save it. The outcry from the public was prompted by the children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge, written by Hildegarde Swift, illustrated by Lynd Ward and published in 1942.

In the popular book, the Little Red Lighthouse is happy and content until a great bridge is built over it. In the end, the lighthouse learns that it still has an important job to do and that there is still a place in the world for on old lighthouse. The classic tale captured the imaginations of children and adults, many of whom wrote letters and sent money to help save the icon from the auction block.

On July 23, 1951, the Coast Guard gave the property to the City of New York, and on May 29, 1979, the Little Red Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

First Year Totals

2009-09-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

First Year Totals:
September 11, 2008 - September 10, 2009

Total Miles Walked To Date (09/10/09): 536.0 Miles
Total Miles RunTo Date (09/10/09): 421.2 Miles
Total Miles Walked/Run To Date (09/10/09): 957.2 Miles

Old Barney @ LBI

2009-08-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

Memorial Milers visit "Old Barney" the Barnegat Lighthouse on Long Beach Island, NJ
August 6, 2009

Paul and his nephew Vinny at Barnegat Light.

No Bull! We like LBI - Okie's Butcher Surf City, NJ

Jersey Shore 2009

2009-08-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

LBI - August 3rd thru 8th

The Pietropaolo Family spends a beautiful week at Surf City on Long Beach Island!

Hitting the Beach!

Game Night - Family Time!!!

Route 17 West - Cow - Goshen, NY

2009-08-20T01:07:00.001-07:00

Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
Goshen, NY

On July 25, 2009 Sue and I took my mom out for dinner at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant off Route 17 M in Goshen NY. We sat outside and enjoyed a very nice meal and sangria. On our way out I noticed the "Cows" in the field and realized that these were the same cows I would always see going West on Route 17, so I had to get my picture taken with them! While I was there I noticed their friend and took his pictures too!

August 19, 2009 - Day 346
Total Miles Run To Date: 798.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked to Date: 973.0 Miles
Total Miles Walked/Run To Date: 1,771.8 Miles

Day 324

2009-07-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

Total Miles Walked To Date:438.5 Miles
Total Miles Run To Date:365.4Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 803.9Miles
Average of 2.48 Miles a Day

Old Erie Canal State Park Trail - July 11, 2009

2009-07-19T17:47:00.001-07:00

On the weekend of July 11, 2009 I head to Syracuse for the wedding of my niece Alexandra to John. While I was there I took the opportunity to take a run on the Old Erie Canal State Park Trail, at it's starting point in De Witt, NY. It was a good day for a run, Louis and Vinny joined me for the run, it was a good day for a run but even a better day for the wedding!

The Old Erie Canal State Park Trail is 36 miles long, and links Dewitt with Rome. The park was created from an abandoned section of the original Erie Canal. Almost the entire trail runs along the Old Erie Canal. The trail comes within four miles of Oneida Lake (a major tourist area) a few miles south of Higginsville.There are many things to see and do in both Verona Beach and Rome.
Old Erie Canal Trail Information:
New York State Canal Corporation
800/4CANAL4

Old Erie Canal Trail Links:
New York Canalway Trail System

New York State Canalway Trail System

The New York State Canalway Trail System is comprised of a network of more than 260 miles of existing multi-use, recreational trails across upstate New York. Major segments are adjacent to the waterways of the New York State Canal System (see our map) or follow remnants of the historic original canals of the early 1800s that preceded today's working Canal System.

The Canalway Trail System is comprised of four major segments: the 100-mile Erie Canal Heritage Trail in Western New York; the 36-mile Old Erie Canal State Park Trail in Central New York; the 60-mile Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway in the eastern Capital Region, and the eight-mile Glens Falls Feeder Canal Heritage Trail in the foothills of the Adirondacks near Lake George. In addition, there are smaller segments of Canalway Trail.

These trail segments and other areas of the Canalway Trail System connect with trails leading throughout New York State, providing one of the most extensive trail networks in the country.

Erie Canal Heritage Trail - a 100-mile Trail between Tonawanda and Newark in Western New York. This Trail segment is designated as a National Recreation Trail and has numerous access points, primarily where local roads intersect. Parking is available at many of the access points. Sign kiosks containing maps and historic information are located at many trailheads. Trail Uses: Hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing (all sections); horseback riding and snowmobiling in some sections (for details call the Canal Corporation). Trail Surface: Stone dust; some portions in Tonawanda and Rochester are asphalt. Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsites are located at Lock 30 in Macedon and at the Holley Canal Port.

Old Erie Canal State Park Trail - a 36-mile Trail within the linear State Park between DeWitt and Rome in Central New York. Designated as a National Recreation Trail, this segment incorporates an abandoned section of the nineteenth century-era Erie Canal. Parking areas with foot-bridge access to the Trail are located at Poolsbrook and Cedar Bay picnic areas within the park.

Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway - a 60-mile Trail along the Erie Canal and Mohawk River between St. Johnsville and Waterford in the Capital Region. Many sections of this segment were built on former grades of the nineteenth century Erie Canal towpath. The trail is continuous except for a segment between Rotterdam Junction and Amsterdam, a short segment under Interstate Route 87 (Adirondack Northway) in the Town of Colonie, and short segments in Schenectady and Cohoes. The bikeway route is signed along connecting roadways.

Glens Falls Feeder Canal Heritage Trail - an eight-mile Trail between Glens Falls and Fort Edward along the historic Feeder Canal near the Hudson River and Old Champlain Canal. The Trail follows the towpath along the Feeder Canal, which is one of the last surviving sections of the original 1820s Canal System. The Feeder Canal was built in the late 1820s to help maintain the water level in the Champlain Canal, since the section between Fort Ann and Fort Edward was higher than the rest of the Canal. A link between the Feeder Canal Heritage Trail and the Warren County/Bikeway leading to Lake George is signed along connecting roadways in Glens Falls.

WATCH THE CANALWAY TRAIL SYSTEM GROW

The New York State Canal Corporation's long-range goal for the Canalway Trail System is to create a cross-State network of multi-use trails that will span nearly 500 miles across upstate New York, paralleling major portions of the 524-mile New York State Canal System.
When completed over the next several years, the Trail System will provide a means for those who are not boaters to enjoy the beauty and the history found all along New York's Canals. The System will include both urban and rural trails to meet the needs of both visitors and local residents alike.

Completion of the Trail will involve the creation of partnerships between the New York State Canal Corporation and a variety of organizations, including local governments, not-for-profit organizations, other New York State government agencies, and the National Park Service.

FIND THE CANALWAY TRAIL TODAY

A free map of the New York State Canalway Trail System is available from the New York State Canal Corporation. To obtain a copy, or to learn more about the Canalway Trail, call: Toll-free (800)-4CANAL4 or write: New York State Canal Corporation P.O. Box 189 Albany, NY 12201-0189.

HISTORY

One of the longest of the great American canals built in the 19th Century. The Erie Canal extends from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, at Buffalo. The idea was to get goods back and forth from the Great Lakes to New York City (via the Hudson River, which connected with the Erie Canal). The Canal was built between 1817 and 1825 and had paid for itself within 10 years. The building of the Canal also helped settle Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other states on the Great Lakes.

At the dawn of the 19th century, New York businessmen were getting anxious. New York was losing out to other port cities as a center for trade. New York offered no easy way -- besides a long, hard, overland trip -- to ship goods between the city and the Midwest, where a growing population wanted to trade.

In 1810, Mayor De Witt Clinton proposed a dramatic solution. He suggested digging a canal between the Hudson River and Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes. Clinton asked President Madison for financial aid but was rejected. Determined, he persuaded New York State to fund the project, even though some politicians nicknamed it "Clinton's ditch."

Construction began in 1817 and was finished in 1825. The canal was an amazing 363 miles long, but only 40 feet wide and four feet deep. That may sound shallow, but it was deep enough for its flat-bottomed boats. The canal also had 83 stone locks to help raise and lower boats across steep inclines.

In 1825, when the canal was completed, Clinton traveled on the first boat from Buffalo, at the Lake Erie end, to Albany, then on down to Manhattan. When he got there, the city celebrated.

July 19, 2009 Miles Update

Total Miles Run To Date: 353.3 Miles

Total Miles Walked To Date: 425.5 Miles

Total Walk/Run To Date: 778.8 Miles

2009-06-07T19:14:00.000-07:00

REACH - Family Fun Run/Walk/5K

Torne Valley Sports Complex, Suffern, NY

Today's weather and location for a 5K road race was great. The race started at 8:00 AM in the beautiful Torne Valley with the Ramapo Mountains in the background it was a great setting for the race. The Weather was still cool and dry, the course was hilly and a little more challenging than I thought it was going to be. The first mile was mostly down hill, but then we looped around and it was all up hill for over a mile and a half. Thankfully the last half mile was downhill, but all in all, it was a great morning run for this memorial miler!

What is REACH

Founded in 1998, The REACH Foundation of Rockland, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds to support innovative educational programs for students and the community at large. The mission of The Reach Foundation is to provide funding for the development and implementation of innovative school and community programs in hope of relieving some of the tax burden and inviting those who may not have children in schools, to utilize the facilities that they help maintain in their annual school tax bill. To this extent, The Reach Foundation has raised monies through state grants, corporate donations, local business owners and community members to fulfill its goals.

Dominican Republic

2009-06-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

Punta Cana

NH Real Arena - Bavaro Beach

May 24 - 29, 2009

Family Vacation

Punta Cana, on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, is what Caribbean postcards are made of: twenty-five miles of white sand, swaying coconut trees and more than 35 resorts (which by law cannot be taller than a palm tree). European tourists long ago discovered Punta Cana and Americans are now catching on. At this affordable tropical getaway, most guests choose to stay in all-inclusive resorts. The town itself isn't a tourist draw; the primary purpose of Punta Cana is relaxation by the sea.

I managed to run or walk ever day on the beach (tough life), and we did a little sports fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, sunbathing, swimming, eating and drinking. Jim, MB, Adam and Dan joined Sue, Jill, Amanda and me on the trip, we had a blast and it was a great family trip!

Day 287 - June 7, 2009

2009-06-07T17:24:00.000-07:00

Miles Run To Date: 302.3 Miles
Miles Walked To Date: 367.0 Miles
Total Miles Walked/Run To Date: 669.3 Miles

AHA Wall Street Run & Heart Walk

2009-05-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

American Heart Association Start! Wall Street Run & Heart Walk
May 19, 2009

The Start! Wall Street Run & Heart Walk is a 5K (3.1 mile) competitive run and non-competitive walk to raise awareness and funds to support the American Heart Association's mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke – the nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Approximately 12,000 people participate in this year's event including Memorial Milers Joan Hamilton, Paul Pietropaolo, Connie Lee and her brother Peter Lee.

The AHA Start! Wall Street Run & Heart Walk traveled a circuitous route through Lower Manhattan, starting on Greenwich Street at Murray Street and finishing on the Esplanade. The exact route is as follows: Head north from the start on Greenwich Street, turn right on Warren Street, right on Church Street, left on Dey Street (becomes John St), right on William Street and continuing down on South William Street, left on Broad Street, left on Pearl Street, right on John Street, right on Water Street (turns into State Street and continues along Battery Park), left on Battery Place, left on Third Place, and right on the Esplanade to the finish near Liberty Street.

More than 27,000 people in New York City alone die from heart disease and stroke each year. At the Start! Wall Street Run and Heart Walk you can visit the Create Hope, Inspire Change and Celebrate Success communities, featuring free health screenings, nutrition and fitness information, resources on heart disease and stroke, product sampling and more.

What is Start?
The Issue Cardiovascular disease is our nation’s No. 1 killer. Physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Seventy percent of Americans don’t get enough exercise, blaming lack of time and lack of motivation. Ignoring fitness and health increases chances for disease.

The Start! Solution Start! is the American Heart Association’s groundbreaking national campaign that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. Promoting physical activity through workplace walking programs can help employees reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke and lead longer, stronger, healthier lives.

Joan and Paul on Broadway, heading to the start of the race.

Joan, Paul, Peter and Connie before the start of the race.

The runners take off!

Paul with the Brooklyn Cyclone mascot at the finish of the race.

Tucson, Arizona

2009-05-18T18:31:00.001-07:00

On May 14, 2009 I flew out to Tucson Arizona to pick-up Amanda as she wrapped up her freshman year at The University of Arizona. While I was there I managed to get some runs in and we took a little hike in the Saguaro National Park. Amanda had a great year at the U of A, and she was ready to come home for the summer.

The Saguaro Wilderness Area:

The Saguaro Wilderness Area was officially designated as wilderness in 1976. This large, road less back country consists of 57,930 acres within the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. It is bounded on three sides by the 38,590 acre Rincon Mountain Wilderness Area, which lies within the Coronado National Forest. Although these wilderness areas are adjacent to one another, management philosophies differ.

Plant communities within the Saguaro Wilderness Area vary from hot and dry desert scrub to cool and moist pine forest. Six different biotic communities are represented here including: desert scrub, desert grassland, oak woodland, pine-oak woodland, pine forest and mixed conifer forest. This biologically diverse area supports a tremendous variety of plant and animal species. Please help protect this wild and wonderful place; leave all natural and cultural objects as you find them. It’s a great place to visit and if you get to Tucson, you should plan on making your way to this park.

Lodge on the Desert: This where I stayed!

Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K Fun Run/Walk

2009-04-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

April 26, 2009

Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K Fun Run/Walk for Special Olympics

Athletes from far and wide converged on New York and New Jersey’s Lincoln Tunnel Sunday morning for the 23rd annual Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K Fun Run/Walk for Special Olympics New Jersey and the Memorial Miles team of Tom Grassi, Kamran Khan, Abdul Karimi, Vivian Okwuagwu and Paul Pietropaolo were there. The Lincoln Tunnel, the tunnel under the Hudson River that connects New Jersey and Manhattan is usually bumper to bumper with cars and impatient commuters, but it’s closed for this race. Thoroughly cleaned the night before, the tunnel is continuously ventilated; with the inside air changed every 90 seconds. The race starts at the south tube of the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken and continues to New York City and back. No traffic was allowed in the tunnel until post-race.

The race is presented by AmeriHealth of New Jersey, The Port Authority of NY & NJ, the Lincoln Tunnel Administration, and Coach USA, and benefits Special Olympics, New Jersey. The Port Authority of NY & NJ is a member of New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey, a volunteer organization.

WCBS 880's Tom Kaminski was Master of Ceremonies for the event, Mr. G – WPIX 11 Weatherman was a host and Weehawken, NJ Mayor Richard Turner was on hand to announce the Celebration of Weehawken’s 150th anniversary.

Not everybody can say they've run through the Lincoln Tunnel. This is a once in a year opportunity and the type of a race you do to say you’ve done it. It is really a neat event! A record number of close to 3,000 people participated in today’s event. Because this race has grown in popularity, the competitors with 5K times of under 25 minutes started at 8:45 a.m., and all other competitors began at 9:15 a.m.; this was a great way to manage the crowd.

The temperature was also record-breaking, which made the race a bit more challenging. But all in all it was a great event and a fun day.

1) Tom signing up. 2) Special Olympics Tent 3) Josh Teicher and David Shah get ready to film the event.

Heading toward the start of the race

1) Paul at start of race 2) Great event for the family 3) Kevin finishing the race

Start of the Race - WCBS 880's Tom Kaminski was Master of Ceremonies for the event, Mr. G – WPIX 11 Weatherman was a host. Kamran, Abdul & Tom get ready to go!

Paul and Tom at the finish line! We made it!

1) Abdul and Tom 2) Abdul 3) Vivian, Kevin, Tom, Abdul & Paul

Views from the end of the race.

Paul, Tom and Vivian at the finish line.

View from Weehawken, NJ across the Hudson River. Empire State Building in the background.

5K Run on the Runway At JFK Airport

2009-04-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

JFK Rotary Club "5K Runway Run" - Sunday, April 19, 2009

"5k Run on the Runway" at JFK Airport, New York

Day 219

2009-04-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

Total Miles Run To Date: 229.4 Miles
Total Miles Walked To date: 281.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 510.4 Miles

In Memory of My Dad Nick Pietropaolo

2009-04-13T17:50:00.001-07:00

Nicolo (Nick) Pietropaolo: February 21, 1927 - April 10, 2009

Nicolo (Nick) Pietropaolo of Goshen, formerly of Nanuet, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2009 at Arden Hill Hospital. He was 82. He was born on February 21, 1927 to the late Vincent and Antoinette (Locoparra) Pietropaolo in Yonkers, NY.

Nick was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Marine Corps., 4th Division. He attended Northrop Aeronautical School in California. He worked at Otis Elevator Company as a Facility Engineer for 32 years and was a member of the Otis Fire Brigade. He retired from J.P. Morgan in New York City in 1992.

Nick's love of the outdoors included golfing with his buddies and admiring and caring for all the trees. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was so proud of his whole family and loved them with all his heart.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Madeline Pietropaolo, and five children: James (Mary Beth) Pietropaolo of Lewistown, PA, Thomas (Suzanne) Pietropaolo of DeWitt, NY, Paul (Susan) Pietropaolo of New City, NY, Robert (Laura) Pietropaolo of Goshen, NY, and Janet Pietropaolo (Richard) Teetsel of Hummelstown, PA. He is also survived by sisters, Jenny Marino of Rock Hill, CT and Anna Pietropaolo of Newington, CT; a brother, Vincent (Casey) Pietropaolo of Newington, CT; and many nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by ten grandchildren: Nicholas and Alexandra, Jill and Amanda, Adam and Daniel, Justin and Joseph, Vincent and Matthew.

He was predeceased by his two sisters, Caroline Murray and Antoinette Gambardella, and three brothers, Julio, Albert and Alfred Pietropaolo.

A funeral mass was held on Monday, April 13, at St. Anthony's Church, Nanuet, NY, with a burial at St. Anthony's Cemetery.

Eulogy by Robert Pietropaolo:

The A-List

Over the past several years there have been a few times where I thought we would be here sooner than today. So over the course of the last few years I’ve had various versions of what I thought I would say once I got up here. And as you can imagine each one had me balling my eyes out while I was either mowing the lawn or driving home from work, where I would compose these eulogies. About two and a half months ago it became very clear as to how I was going to talk about Pop. Here goes. I hope you enjoy it.

The top draw of my dresser is my junk draw. I keep little trinkets there, a rock from Sedona, a Swiss army knife, a picture from the Grand Canyon, a Little Abner pin, a referee whistle, small mementoes to remind me of a passed event. I keep them there because that’s where my dad kept his. When I was a little kid I would find myself in his room and snoop through his junk draw. I don’t remember the first time I did that. It must have been an accident. Maybe I was looking for something and found this treasure chest of stuff that gave me a glimpse into my fathers’ life. I could hold a secret with him, without him even knowing. It had the same kind of stuff in it as mine. A pen knife, Otis Elevator pins, a yoyo, subway tokens, photos from the war, and a dirty joke book. The joke book, of course, was my favorite.

I would periodically return to the draw and look inside, and once in a while a new article would appear, and I would wonder what it would mean to him. Sometimes it was obvious, a pin from a recent event he attended or some trinket commemorating his involvement in the Black and Gold Club, or Little League, something like that. Occasionally there would be a Xerox copy of the latest dirty joke being passed around the office. It did not take long though to realize that there would not be new trinkets added all that often, and eventually I just stopped snooping.

In January, up at the lake house, where my parents moved to after they retired, the temperature dropped to well below zero, there was a power failure, the pipes froze, then burst, and as you can imagine, it was a mess. I was up there moving what could be salvaged to higher ground, and needed to move my dads’ dresser. To lighten the load I pulled the draws out, and once again was faced to face with the stuff in his junk draw. It was really quite a wonderful experience, for the next two hours or so I sat there picking through his stuff, wondering what each little thing might have meant to him. A flood of memories came racing back and I felt that secret special connection from my snooping 35 to 40 years ago.

Then another realization was of what I was looking at. The A list, the A list of stuff that after 82 years, still warranted space in this drawer. Marine Core pins, Otis retirement pins, zippo cigarette lighter, the joke book, 9/11 World Trade Center pin my brother Paul gave to him. I know that one was very special to him. Of course there were pictures of us, his kids at various ages, and of my Mom. There where photos of him with his friends affectionately known as the Goofers, photos of his Mom and Pop, his brothers and sisters. Photos of him in the war when he was stationed in China. Some horrific photos of that war. Photos of him before he met my Mom. Some of these photos were out on display at the Wake yesterday. The last and most telling articles left were the love letters he saved from my Mom when he was away from us for weeks at a time while in Indiana setting up shop for Otis Elevators. Trying times for a young couple with five young children.

The only other thing I know he would have liked to keep in his draw would have been his ten grand kids. He loved visiting with, seeing, and hearing about what they where up to. From their first steps, to graduation, from engagements, to any activity or opportunity they where taking advantage of. He had a special place in his heart for all of them. He was proud, and enjoyed the company of, his son-in-law. He was proud too, of the wives, who he would say he hand picked for his four sons.

Now I need to wrap this up. One thing that Pop was not was patient. So I thank you all for coming and know if he were here he would tell each and every one of you “ya look good” except you Laura, you look tired. Now go Pop, Grandma has homemade ravioli for you. Grandpa has some lawns for you to mow. Your brothers and your sisters are waiting. And George Crowfoot has a Tee time for you.

United Nations Visit

2009-04-03T09:55:00.001-07:00

Bob McKee, Paul Pietropaolo, Jack McManus, Jerry Del Tuffo
United Nation Site Visit - April 1, 2009

Day 200

2009-03-29T18:06:00.001-07:00

March 29, 2009 - Day 200

Miles Run To Date: 216.7 Miles
Miles Walked To Date: 258.5 Miles
Miles Walk/Run To Date: 475.2 Miles

March 28, 2009 Murphy Cup, Philadelphia, PA

Villanova Rowing

March 27, 2009 - Memorial Miles Group Walk to the Irish Hunger Memorial, NYC

March 21, 2009 - Mike Valletta and Irv Chesner site Visit

Tom O'Connor, Irv Chesner, Paul Pietropaolo, Clarelle De Graffe

Mike Valletta, Clarelle, Irv, Tom

Inter-Club Challenge 5K

2009-03-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

On March 15, 2009 the Rockland Road Runners hosted the Inter-Club Challenge 5k at Rockland Lake State Park, NY. The race started near the Knickerbocker Fire House on Landings Road. It was a brisk day and the mode was friendly as runners from various runners clubs like Rockland Road Runners, Orange Runners Club, the Hudson Valley Runners, Sullivan Strider's and the Bronx Road Runners came together for the Inter-Club Challenge 5K. The course was a hilly run around the outer road of the Park. I enjoyed the run and I am beginning to pick back up on my daily mileage!

Sign-in at the Knickerbocker Firehouse and some of the wildlife seen along the way.

Some pictures of the race.

Day 186
Total Miles Run To Date: 210.3 Mile

Total Miles Walked To Date: 239.5 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 449.8 Miles

March 13, 2009 WTC Site Visit

2009-03-14T12:33:00.001-07:00

Memorial Milers Paul Pietropaolo, Clarelle DeGraffe and Tom Grassi visit the WTC Site on March 13, 2009.

Aerial view of the WTC Site under construction.

Street level at the West Street side of the Future National September 11, 2001 Memorial Museum.

Mike Mahesh and Clarelle heading to the bottom of the Memorial Museum, 70 feet below grade level.

Paul Pietropaolo entering the site.

Tom Grassi entering the Site.

View of the slurry wall construction for the Museum

Views by the Survivor Stairs in the future Museum Location.

Views of construction progress on the National September 11 Memorial Museum. As you can see there is a lot of progress being made, the steel framing is going up swiftly and the "Pit" is filling in before you know it the Memorial will be ready for the September 11, 2011 opening!

Day 185

2009-03-14T12:31:00.001-07:00

March 14, 2009

Total Miles Run To Date: 207.2 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 237.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 444.2 Miles

Day 179

2009-03-08T18:14:00.001-07:00

Total Miles Run To Date: 204.7 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 227.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 431.7 Miles

13th Annual Nanuet High School 5K Run/Walk

2009-03-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

The 13th Annual Nanuet High School 5K Run/Walk

Robert McKiernan Scholarship Rund

Today I had a chance to return to my former high school, Nanuet Senior High, located in Nanuet, NY to run in the 13th Annual 5K Walk/Run for the Robert McKiernan Scholarship Fund. I am fortunate to live close by so I still get a chance to participate in many community events in Nanuet. While I was getting ready for the run I had a chance to visit the Nanuet Community’s WTC Memorial. Like many other community’s in the NYC area, the wounds from the events of September 11, 2001, were deeply felt and the need to remember and honor those lost was very strong. As I read the names of those lost I can’t help but get tears in my eyes as I see the names of those I knew as classmates and friends. I am very pleased that the Nanuet community has provided such a wonderful memorial for people to reflect and remember, and it motivates me to continue on as a Memorial Miler!

Laura Dimarino & Friend ------------- Paul -------------- Jamie Kempton & Friend

The Nanuet School District
World Trade Center Memorial Tribute

The Nanuet School District and FANN (Friends and Neighbors of Nanuet) World Trade Center Memorial is situated between the MacArthur Barr Middle School and the Nanuet Senior High School. The beautifully lighted monument and sitting area serve as a permanent site for the families and friends of those lost that day. The area also serves present and future community members as a peaceful place to remember and reflect. The memorial pays tribute to the following nine Nanuet residents who fell victim to the World Trade Center tragedy:

John D'Allara: John was a Rescue Specialist with the New York Police Departments' Emergency Service Unit. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and two sons, John and Nicholas, who both attend the Nanuet School District.

Laura Longing: Laura was formerly Laura Pettus, Nanuet Class of 1984, a loving wife and mother. She was a graduate of Pace University and received her masters in finance from Iona College. Laura worked as a Project Manager for Marsh & McLennan Companies on the 96th floor of the World Trade Center, Tower 1.

William Lum, Jr.: William was a Senior Claims Specialist with Marsh & McLennon Companies. Bill was born and raised in Pearl River and was a 1974 graduate of Nanuet Senior High School. He is survived by his mother, Grace, and father, Bill Sr., who reside in Pearl River.

Myrna T. Maldonado: Myrna was raised at St. Agatha in Nanuet and worked as a Systems Designer for the Port of Authority at the WTC. Myrna was a 1970 graduate of Nanuet Senior High School. She is survived by her husband, Wilfredo, and two sons, Jarid and Jordan.

Joseph Marchbanks, Jr.: Joseph was a Battalion Chief in the Harlem Firehouse. He is survived by his wife, Theresa, and two children, Lauren and Ryan, who both attend the Nanuet School District.

David Ortiz: David was a locksmith at the WTC. He is survived by his wife, Lillian, and two children, Richard and Crystal, who both attend the Nanuet School District.

James Woods: James was a trader at Cantor Fitzgerald and graduated from Nanuet Senior High School in 1993. He is survived by his father, John, and his mother, Joyce, who reside in Pearl River, and his sister Eileen.

David Wooley: David was Fire Captain of Ladder #4 in NYC and owner of "The Perfect Match" a wallpapering and pain ting business in Rockland County. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and two children who reside in Nanuet.

Loretta Vero: Loretta lived in Nanuet for 15 years. She was a corporate consultant with American Express and is survived by her sisters.

Day 171

2009-02-28T13:26:00.000-08:00

Total Miles Walked To Date: 218.5 Miles
Total Miles Run To Date: 195.6 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 414.1 Miles

Day 170 - February 27, 2009

2009-02-28T09:08:00.001-08:00

On February 27, 2009 the Memorial Miles Team did their Monthly Group Walk to the National Monument The African Burial Ground located in Lower Downtown Manhattan.

Amadou & Paul - Cesar, Tom & Amadou

GSA’s African Burial Ground project began in 1991, when, during excavation work for a new federal office building, workers discovered the skeletal remains of the first of more than 400 men, women and children. Further investigation revealed that during the 17th and 18th centuries, free and enslaved Africans were buried in a 6.6 acre burial ground in lower Manhattan outside the boundaries of the settlement of New Amsterdam, which would become New York. Over the decades, the unmarked cemetery was covered over by development and landfill. Managed by GSA, the overall project is a testimonial to a positive and collaborative partnership between many parties, including the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Howard University, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the African American community.Today the site is a National Monument featuring a distinctive memorial that commemorates and communicates the story of the African Burial Ground—the single-most important, historic urban archaeological project undertaken in the United States.

A Sacred Space in Manhattan
From the 1690s until the 1790s, both free and enslaved Africans were buried in a 6.6 acre burial ground in Lower Manhattan, outside the boundaries of the settlement of New Amsterdam, later known as New York. Lost to history due to landfill and development, the grounds were rediscovered in 1991 as a consequence of the planned construction of a Federal office building.

Kamram, Tom & Amadou

The Memorial: Designed by RodneyLeon, Architect
A memorial at the African Burial Ground National Monument honors the memories of the estimated 15,000 Africans buried at the approximately seven-acre site in the 17th and 18th centuries. The memorial opens daily at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

The Visitor Center
The Visitor Center contains exhibits and replica artifacts, and provides educational programs and interpretation of commemorative art commissioned for the African Burial Ground.
Because the Visitor Center is in a Federal office building, visitors must go through airport-style screening before entering.
The African Burial Ground National Monument, located at the corners of Duane and Elk Streets in lower Manhattan, is operated by the National Park Service. For directions to the site and more information, go to www.nps.gov/afbg

Did You Know?New York's African Burial Ground is the final resting place of approximately 15,000 free and enslaved Africans. Dating from the late 17th century. It has been called one of the most important archaeological finds of our time.

San Diego Adventure

2009-01-19T18:15:00.000-08:00

Memorial Miler goes to San Diego - January 12 - 18, 2009.

Paul w/Sponge Bob - San Diego Wild Animal Park

Some of the neat wildlife at the Animal Park!

Some of the friends I made at the Park!

Paul & Sue at Balboa Park

Birch Aquarium - and a dip in the Pacific

San Diego is one of the coolest places on the Pacific Coast Highway. It has a quirky charm that manages to blend its history as a naval base with an atmosphere that's laid back even by California standards. It may not have Disneyland but it does have SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park and good opportunities for whale-watching. San Diego can also offer great nightlife in its downtown Gaslamp Quarter, cultural museums, beaches and bays.
Some of San Diego's top attractions that we took in:

Old Town, Historic Trolley Ride, La Jolla, Southern Pacific Coast Highway (Route 101), Carlsbad, Great Restaurants and;

Balboa ParkVisitor Center, 1549 El Prado. Tel: (619) 239-0512Undoubtedly one of the finest city parks in the USA with not only its gardens and the world-famous San Diego Zoo, but also museums, theaters, golf, tennis, swimming pools, velodrome and many other recreational facilities.
Gaslamp Quarter San Diego's downtown nightlife quarter can trace its history back to 1867, when it was founded. In those days and during San Diego's Gold Rush days in the 1870s, the Gaslamp Quarter was notorious for the many dubious pleasures that were available there. In the 1900s it was known as the Stingaree District, allegedly because it was as easy to get stung here as by a stingray in San Diego Bay. It's not quite so wild and dangerous today, being now a national historic district of old houses, restaurants and nightclubs, and the place to be for Mardi Gras in San Diego.

San Diego Wild Animal Park 15500 San Pasqual Valley RoadPart of the San Diego Zoo, located about 30 miles from downtown San Diego with 1800 acres where over 3500 animals live in natural habitats, helping the Park's work to preserve endangered species. From Australian rain forests to the African plains where the Lion Camp is a popular attraction. Don't miss the Kilimanjaro Safari Walk, the Kilimanjaro Safari Walk, the Hidden Jungle and Condor Ridge, which has helped save Californian condors from extinction.

About CRES (Conservation and Research for Endangered Species)
The Zoological Society of San Diego's center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES) is the largest zoo-based multidisciplinary research team in the world. Biodiversity conservation is the theme that unites the work of CRES, and scientific innovation is the means by which CRES achieves its success.
Housed in the state-of-the-art Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center for Conservation Research at the entrance to the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, CRES scientists generate, share, and apply scientific knowledge vital to the conservation of animals, plants, and habitats, locally and internationally. CRES encompasses five research divisions: Applied Animal Ecology, Behavioral Biology, Genetics, Wildlife Disease Laboratories, and Reproductive Physiology, as well as a dedicated Conservation Education Lab. In addition, the Beckman Center supports work done by the Giant Panda Conservation Division at the San Diego Zoo, the Native Seed Gene Bank, and the Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
Over the last 30 years, the work of CRES has grown to include international field conservation programs in more than 20 countries worldwide. The CRES vision is to become the global leader in applying advances in science and technology to the conservation and recovery of endangered species. CRES identifies the most pressing problems for species conservation and then applies the most innovative and creative science possible to solving them. To achieve this goal, CRES scientists have identified six key strategic areas for focused research: Sustainable Populations, Bioresource Banking, Wildlife Health, Habitat Conservation, Restoration Biology , and Conservation Education.

Day 131 and Still Going!

2009-01-19T14:20:00.001-08:00

Today is Day 131 of Memorial Miles! I have walked or Run every day since September 11, 2008!

Total Miles Walked To Date: 169.5 Miles
Total Miles Run To Date: 181.8 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 251.3 Miles

Day 119

2009-01-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

119 consecutive days of walking or running at least one mile a day!

Total Miles Run To Date: 168.3 Miles
Total Miles Walked T Date: 128.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 296.3 Miles

Day 110

2008-12-29T14:56:00.000-08:00

110 Consecutive days of walking or running!

Total Miles Run To Date: 163.5 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 121.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 284.5 Miles

Day 102

2008-12-21T14:18:00.000-08:00

Total Miles Run To Date: 158.7 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 117.4 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 271.1 Miles

Day 95

2008-12-14T18:45:00.000-08:00

I have now walked or run consecutively for 95 days and here are my totals:

Total Run To Date: 158.7 Miles
Total Walked To Date: 102.4 Miles
Total Walk/Run To Date: 261.1 Miles

Friday December 12, 2008

Friday Morning Breakfasts Group!
We try to meet every Friday before works starts to review the "High-Lights" of the week!

Memorial Miles Monthly Group Walk

On a cold and blustery December day, the Memorial Milers held their monthly group-walk to the South Street Seaport. The Seaport is within walking distance of Wall Street and Lower Manhattan's many tourist destinations, and is listed as one of New York City's five top attractions. Street performers, outdoor concerts, landmark buildings, excursion vessels, historic ships, the holiday Chorus Tree, breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty create a unique waterfront environment you will find only at The Seaport.

Prior to the group walk some of the Memorial Miles Team donated toys to the Marines Toys for Tots collection box.

Pictures from the Walk

67th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

2008-12-07T18:34:00.000-08:00

Pearl Harbor
In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese navy launched a surprise attack against the United States' naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Over 2,400 Americans perished as a result, and over 1,200 were injured. The Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was one of the great defining moments in history. As a result of this act, then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made the grim decision to enter the United States in World War II to fight with the Allies against the Axis powers.

Day 88
Total Miles Run To Date: 158.7 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 91.7 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 250.4 Miles

Rockland County 26th Annual Alumni Run

2008-11-30T14:38:00.000-08:00

26th ANNUAL BILL MARKIEWICZ

MEMORIAL ROCKLAND COUNTY

ALUMNI X-COUNTRY RUN (3.0 MILES)
THANKSGIVING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2008
BEAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK AT NOON, EVENT HELD RAIN OR SHINE!

Memorial Milers participate in an annual tradition of insanity!

Memorial Miler Paul with daughter Jill and Sister Janet

Rockland Alumni Cross Country Run: A Harrier Tradition.

(Adopted from 2001 article written by Jamie Kempton)

A Thanksgiving tradition dating back to 1983 continued on the hills and footpaths of Bear Mountain State Park this Saturday with the 26th running of the Rockland Alumni Cross Country Run/Bill Markiewicz Memorial.

The alumni harriers make their annual pilgrimage to Bear Mountain to tackle the 3-mile course that is used for high school competition. The race is held, rain or shine, at high noon on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Many people run cross country for the purity of the sport, and this event is a purist’s dream: no entry fee, no T-shirts, no awards, no frills.

What it does offer, however, is an opportunity to circle historic Hessian Lake (of Revolutionary War fame), ascend the infamous, steep “ski slope” (former site of world-class ski-jumping competitions), swing past the Bear Mountain Inn - a cornerstone hearth of the Palisades Interstate Park system - and finish the tour on the Great Lawn in front of the inn.

The race is named in honor of Bill Markiewicz, a well-respected former cross country and track coach at Clarkstown North High School who died of cancer in 1991. The event is open to alumni from high schools everywhere, not just those from Rockland County. Over the years the Alumni Run has attracted entrants whose high school affiliation spans more than 20 states and several countries.

Jill & Rick -- Jill, Matt, Rick & Janet

Vinny & Rick -- Paul & Jill

Total Mile Run To Date: 153.3 Miles

Total Miles Walked To Date: 83.5 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 236.8 Miles

Day 68 - 74

2008-11-23T18:20:00.000-08:00

Day 68 through 74

Miles Run: 3.0 Miles
Miles Walked: 7.5 Miles

Total Mules Run To Date: 147.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 78.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 226.3 Miles

Day 67

2008-11-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

Day 67:

Total Miles Run To Date: 144.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 71.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run: 215.8 Miles

Day 67: Run - 2.0 Miles
Day 66: Walked - 1.5 Miles
Day 65: Walked - 3.0 Miles
Day 64: Walked - 1.5 Miles
Day 63: Run - 1.0 Miles/Walked - 2.0 Miles
Day 62: Run - 2.0 Miles/Walked - 1.0 Miles
Day 61: Walked - 2.5 Miles

Memorial Miles November Team Walk

2008-11-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

November 14, 2008
Memorial Miles Team walkers head to Battery Park City for team walk.

Day 60

2008-11-09T16:30:00.001-08:00

Day 60

Miles Run Today: 2.0 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 2.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 139.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 59.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 199.3 Miles

Day 59 - Inaugural 5K Rockie's Benefit Race

2008-11-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

Inaugural 5k Rockie's Benefit Race
Proceeds to benefit trail maintenance at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Saturday November 8, 2008 @ 8:30 am

The Memorial Mile Shirt made an appearance at the Inaugural 5k "Rockie's" Benefit Race at the Rockefeller State Park Persevere in Pocantico Hills, NY. The proceeds from the event will go to help maintain the many beautiful trails that run throughout the park. The course started and ended at the intersection of Eagle Hill and Pocantico River Trails. It went north (uphill switchbacks at the north end of 13 bridges) in one big loop to 13 bridges trail, then eventually that turns into Gory Brook Trail (flat to downhill), over the little wooden bridge then back over the stone arch bridge to home.

It was a tough start, fast stretch and a nice test over the final mile or so. I felt pretty good, as this was the first time I was able to run in week. I made sure I did a good warm up before the race and cool down after.

Day 59: Nov. 8, 2008

Miles Run Today: 4.1 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 137.8

Total Miles Walked To Date: 57.3 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 195.3 Miles

Day 53 through 58

2008-11-09T05:26:00.000-08:00

On November 2, 2008 I managed to seriously cut and fracture my middle and ring finger on my right hand. It resulted in a visit to Nyack Hospital emergency room for x-rays and stitches. Needless to say I was not able to run, but I was able to walk every day and here are my totals.

Day 53: 1 Mile Walking
Day 54: 1 Mile Walking
Day 55: 1 Mile Walking
Day 56: 2.5 Mile Walking
Day 57: 1 Mile Walking
Day 58: 1 Mile Walking

Total Miles as of November 7, 2008
Total Run: 133.7 Miles
Total Walked: 57.5 Miles
Total Walk/Run: 191.2 Miles

Day 52

2008-11-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

Day 52

Miles Run Today: 1.4 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 133.7 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 50.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 183.7 Miles

Day 51

2008-10-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

Day 51

Tonight I just made it I ended up running my miles at 10:30 PM. I was taking my motorcycle safety course, I am trying to get my motorcycle license! Everyone has to have a dream!

Miles Run Today: 2.1 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 123.3 Miles
Total Mile Walked To Date: 48.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run to Date: 180.8 Miles

Day 50

2008-10-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

Day 50

It's hard to believe that I've been running for 50 days straight! There were a few times I thought I was going to blow it and miss a day, but so far I've managed to keep it up! I really do feel pretty good about it! Well bring on the next fifty!!!!

Miles Run Today: 2.4 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 130.2 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 47.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 177.7 Miles

Day 49

2008-10-29T17:05:00.000-07:00

Day 49

Miles Run Today: 2.8 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 3.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 127.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 46.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 174.3 Miles

Day 48

2008-10-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

Day 48

Miles Run Today: 2.1 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 2.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 125.0 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 43.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 168.5 Miles

Day 47

2008-10-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

Day 47

Miles Run Today: 2.1 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 122.9 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 41.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 164.4 Miles

Day 46 - Princeton 3-Mile Chase

2008-10-26T18:58:00.001-07:00

Princeton 3-Mile Chase

Invitational Regatta Lake Carnegie

Princeton, New Jersey

October 26, 2008

Today Sue and I watched Jill and the Villanova Women's Crew Team participate in the Princeton 3-Mile Chase. It was a beautiful fall day, a great day to be outside.

The Princeton 3-Mile Chase is an invitational head-race hosted by the Princeton University crew coaching staff for men and women collegiate crews. The Princeton 3-Mile Chase regatta is composed of races for Lightweight Women, Open Women, Lightweight Men, Heavyweight Men and a small boats event competing over a distance of 2¾ miles.

Paul's Miles Today

Miles Run Today: 2.9 Miles

Miles Walked Today: 2.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 120.9 Miles

Total Miles Walked To Date: 40.0 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 160.9 Miles

Day 45 - Norwood 5K

2008-10-26T17:49:00.001-07:00

Day 45 - October 25, 2008

Norwood 5K, Norwood, NJ

Paul & Tom before the race.

On a day that was to be a wash out weather wise, the Memorial Mile T-Shirt worn by Tom Grassi and Paul Pietropaolo ran in the Norwood, New Jersey 5K. The rain held off and both Tom and Paul had a great run, Paul finished right behind Tom and they averaged about 8'-30" a mile.

Paul and Tom after the race.

Paul's Miles

Miles Run Today: 3.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 117.9 Miles

Total Miles Walked To Date: 38.0 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 155.9 Miles

Day 44

2008-10-24T19:10:00.001-07:00

Day 44

Miles Run Today: 2.1 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 114.4 Miles
Miles Walked To Date: 38.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 152.4 Miles

Day 43

2008-10-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

Day 43

Miles Run Today: 2.6 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Miles Run To Date: 112.3 Miles
Miles Walked To Date: 36.5 Miles
Miles Walk/Run To Date: 148.8 Miles

Day 42

2008-10-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Day 42

Miles Run Today: 2.6 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 109.7 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 35.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 145.2 Miles

Day 41

2008-10-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

Day 41

Miles Run Today: 2.3 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 107.1 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 34.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 141.6 Miles

Day 40

2008-10-20T19:02:00.001-07:00

Day 40

Miles Run Today: 2.5 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 104.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 33.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 138.3 Miles

Day 39

2008-10-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

Day 39

Miles Run Today: 2.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 102.3 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 32.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 132.8 Miles

Day 37 & 38

2008-10-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

Strawtown Road, West Nyack, NY.

Why We Run

Day 37: October 17

Miles Run Today: 1.9 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Mils

Day 38: October 18

Miles Run Today: 3.1 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 99.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 32.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 132.3 Miles

Day 36

2008-10-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

Day 36

Miles Run Today: 1.9 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 94.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 31.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 126.3 Miles

Day 35

2008-10-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

Day 35

Miles Run Today: 2.5 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 92.9 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 30.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 123.4 Miles

Day 34

2008-10-14T18:19:00.000-07:00

Day 34

Miles Run Today: 2.6 Miles
Miles Waled Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 90.4 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 29.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 119.9 Miles

Day 33

2008-10-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

Day 33

Miles Run Today: 2.7 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 87.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 28.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 116.3 Miles

Day 32 - Newburgh Beacon Bridge 5 Mile Run

2008-10-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

Day 32 - Newburgh-Beacon Bridge 5 Mile Run

October 12, 2008

Today was an awesome Autumn day, a great day for a run! I ran in the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge 5 Mile run. The course started in the historic Hudson Valley City of Newburgh and over the Hudson River on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to the historic Hudson Valley City of Beacon. The course was fun and the view from the bridge was amazing! You couldn't have asked for a better fall day! The leaves were out in full color and the air was crisp and cool, I had a pretty good time of 43 minutes and 38 seconds. In the pictures you will see the starting line in Newburgh, the finishes at Beacon, pictures of the Hudson River from Beacon Train Station. I also got a picture of the Clear Water and a replica of the sailing ship Half Moon. All-in -all it was a great day!

Miles Run Today: 5.0 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 85.1 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 27.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 112.1 Miles

Day 31- Philadelphia Navy Day Regatta

2008-10-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

Day 31: October 11, 2008 - Philadelphia Navy Day Regatta

Today we made our way to Philadelphia to watch Jill and the Villanova Women's Crew team compete in the Philadelphia Navy Day Regatta on the Schuykill River. It was a beautiful Autumn day, great for watching the crew races. Today's races were what they call "Chases", when one boat goes after another for time. The races were about 4,000 meter or ~ 2.4 miles, pretty long races for crew. Jill rowed in both a 4 man and 2 man boat race, they looked good from where we were sitting. It was a fun day in Philadelphia!

Miles Run Today: 2.3 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 2.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 80.1 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 25.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 105.6 Miles

Day 30

2008-10-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

Day 30

Miles Run Today: 2.4 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 77.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 23.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Day: 100.8 Miles

Day 29

2008-10-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

Day 29

Miles Run Today: 1.9 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 75.4 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 22.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 97.4 Miles

Day 28

2008-10-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

Day 28

Miles Run Today: 2.1 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 2.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 73.5 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 21.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 94.5 Miles

Day 27

2008-10-07T18:53:00.001-07:00

Day 27

Miles Run Today: 2.5 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 71.4 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 19.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 90.4 Miles

Day 26

2008-10-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

Day 26

Miles Run Today: 2.5 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 68.9 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 18.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 86.9 Miles

Day 24 & 25

2008-10-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

Day 24 & 25

On day 24, Saturday October 4th, I ran 2.3 Miles. It was a beautiful fall day and I was again at York Lake near Barryville in Sullivan County. The air was clean and crisp, the leaves were beginning to turn colors, just a great day in the country to run!

On day 25, Sunday October 5th, I ran 2.5 Miles. I got home in the late afternoon, after stopping at my mother and fathers home in Goshen, NY. Of course while I was there my mom made me a nice spaghetti and meatball dinner. Bobby and Laura joined us, after all my parents live in an apartment in Bob and Laura's house.

Total Mile Run To Date: 66.4 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 17.0 Miles
Total Mile Walk/Run To Date: 83.4 Miles

Day 23

2008-10-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

Day 23

Miles Run Today: 2.3 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 61.6 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 17.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 78.6 Miles

Day 22

2008-10-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

Day 22:

Miles Run Today: 2.3 Miles
Miles Run Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 59.3 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 16.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 75.3 Miles

Day 21

2008-10-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

Miles Run Today: 2.0 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 57.0 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 15.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 72.0 Miles

Day 20

2008-09-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

Miles Run Today: 2.5 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 55.0 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 14.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 69.0 Miles

Day 19

2008-09-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

Day 19

Miles Run Today: 2.5 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 52.5 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 13.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 65.5 Miles

Day 18 - The Firefighter Stephen Siller - Tunnel to Towers 5k Run/Walk

2008-09-28T17:45:00.000-07:00

Today the Memorial Mile T-Shirt made a proud appearance at the Firefighter Stephen Siller - Tunnels to Towers 5K Run/Walk. This is an event to remember and retrace the steps the Firefighter Stephen Siller took on September 11, 2001, when he raced from the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to Lower Manhattan to the Twin Towers. This is truly a New York experience, there were over Ten Thousand runners, with firefighters from all over the region, country and world participating, as well as service men and women from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

Miles Run Today: 3.1 Miles

Miles Walked Today: 1.5 Miles

Total Miles Run Todate: 50.0 Miles

Total Miles Walked Todate: 12.0 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run Todate: 62.0 Miles

Day 17 - "Little Brown Jug"

2008-09-27T17:34:00.001-07:00

Today I did my run at Hook Mountain and then attended the Nanuet - Pearl River High School Football game. I am a proud graduate of Nanuet Sr. High School, my wife Sue is a Pearl River graduate! The Nanuet - Pearl River "Little Brown Jug" rivalry goes back to the start of football at Nanuet, it's a tradition that is over 40 years old! What makes it even more special is that one of my best friends (JP Bonomolo) two sons (Matt & Bret) play for Nanuet. I am happy to say Nanuet won 28-0. In a pre-game ceremony, the Nanuet High School Sports Hall of Fame dedicated the new Jerry Leo Memorial Field Press Box.

In addition to the game and the press box dedication I took time to visit the Nanuet September 11, 2001 memorial, located on the school grounds. Like many communities in the Tri-State region, we lost a number of our alumni, parents of students and community members.

Day 17 Miles Run: 2.8 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 46.9 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 10.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 57.4 Miles

Day 16

2008-09-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

Day 16: Miles Run 2.7 Miles, Miles Walked 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 44.1 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 10.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 50.6 Miles

Day 15

2008-09-25T18:30:00.000-07:00

Day 15:

Miles Run Today: 2.4 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 41.4 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 9.5 Miles
Total Miles walk/Run To Date: 50.9 Miles

Day 14 - Treadmill Run!

2008-09-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

Today I managed to walk 3.0 Miles. It was a beautiful day to walk along the Battery City Park promenade next to the Hudson River. I went from my office to the North Cove and headed North to the end, near Stuyvesant High School. Then I walked back through the park, there were people everywhere, what a great day for a walk.

I had a late meeting tonight and did not get home until 7:45 PM, so instead of heading out to the road, I opted for the treadmill, and I hate the treadmill, it is so boring. Anyway I managed to get 2.2 miles in on the tread mill and keep the streak alive.

Total Miles Run To Date: 39.0 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 8.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 47.5 Miles

Day 13 - Lucky 13

2008-09-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

Today I ran after work, I went down to Orangetown to run on "Rails to Trails" park near Lowell's shopping center and Route 303. The trail is an old railroad right-of-way that was turned into a park and paved, it runs for Orangeburg to Sparkill. What is nice about running on these trails is that there are no cars to worry about. I ran for 2.5 miles and earlier in the day I walked 1.0 Miles.

Total Miles Run To Date: 36.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 5.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 42.3 Miles

Day 12 - Start of the Work Week!

2008-09-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

Day 12 and it's the start of another work week! Mondays are always tough, but on my way home I got a flat tire! Well I made it home, but I had to change the tire, good thing the spare was inflated.

The last thing I wanted to do was run, but I got it together and went out for a 2.1 mile run, that added to the mile walk I took today gave me 3.1 miles walk/run today.

Total Miles Run To Date: 34.3 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 4.5 Miles
Total Walk/Run To Date: 38.8 Miles

Day 11 - Minisink Ford, NY

2008-09-21T18:27:00.001-07:00

Today, the last day of summer, Sue and I took a Sunday ride to York Lake, along the way we stopped at Minisink Ford, NY along the Delaware River between NY and PA to walk around and over Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct Bridge. This bridge is part of the Upper Delaware National Park System and was one of the earlier bridges built by the famous builder of the Brooklyn Bridge, Roebling. The bridge was built in the 1800's as part of the upstate canal system. It is a very handsome bridge, just of Route 97 in Sullivan County, about 25 miles west of Port Jervise, NY and about 120 miles Northwest of NYC.

The weather was beautiful and after our walk around the bridge we headed to the lake to enjoy the last day of summer! I've attached some pictures to capture the day.

Miles Run Today: 2.5 Miles.
Miles Walked Today: 1.5 Miles.

Day 11 Totals
Total Miles Run: 32.2 Miles
Total Miles Walked: 3.5 Miles.
Total Miles Walk/Run: 35.7 Miles.

Day 10 - ORC Bull Run 5K

2008-09-20T18:14:00.001-07:00

Today I ran in the Orange Runner's Club 5K Bull Run at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Orange County, NY.

There were about 150 runners, the course was pretty flat, I finished about 50th with a time of 26 Minutes, 25 seconds, that about 8'-35" a mile, not my best, but I felt pretty good!

This Brings my 1o day total Miles run to 29.7 Miles and my Total Walk/Run to: 31.7 miles.

Day 9

2008-09-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

I Ran 2.9 Miles today

Total Mile Run: 26.6 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run: 28.6 Miles

Day 8 - Sept. 18, 2008

2008-09-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

Miles Run today: 2.6 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 23.7 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 25.7 Miles

Day 7

2008-09-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been seven days already! Tonight was a great night to run, it was cool and the sun was just going down. I ran for 3.1 miles tonight and I'm feeling good!

We got a funny email from my daughter Jill today, she left her cell phone in her pants pocket and it went through the wash, it pretty much killed the phone! She was due for a new one, but when I read her email it reminded me of when I was in college and through my red sweat shirt in with my under ware, and they all come out pink! These are those lessons in life that you have to laugh at!

Total Miles run to date: 21.1 Miles
Total Miles walked/run: 23.1 Miles

September 16, 2001 - Day 6

2008-09-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

Day 6: It was tough to get going tonight, I had a hectic day at work and got home a little late, it was dark out and I was not on the mood to run. Once I got going, it was ok, it was getting a lttle cooler, 69 degrees, nice breeze, turned out to be a good night for a run.

I ran 3.2 miles bringing my 6 day total miles run to 18.0 miles.
Total miles walk/run: 20.0 miles

Day 5

2008-09-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

Today I took a mile walk at lunch and I ran 2.7 miles after work. I walked from my office at 115 Broadway, down Liberty Street, over to the World Financial Center, back over Vesey Street and south down Church Street. It always amazes me as to the number of tourist that come to the site.

After work around 7:00PM, I ran my 2.7 miles. It's staring to get dark earlier everyday, by the beginning of October I Will have to break out my night running gear.

Total Miles Run to date: 14.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked to date: 2.0 Miles
Total Miles Run/Walked: 16.8 Miles

Day 4 - York Lake

2008-09-14T18:14:00.001-07:00

I spent day 3 and 4 at my family's home at York Lake in Sullivan County, NY. It was a work weekend, my Dad, my brother Bob and nephew Nicolas were there to do a major rehab to the house. It was nice to spend some time with my dad, he is 81 years old, has lost the sight in his left eye and does not hear all that well. In addition he has a hard time remember things, he can't remember what he did 5 minutes ago, but he can tell you about everyone one of his childhood friend. Anyway, it was nice to spend the time with him, and to give my mother a break.

I ran 2.9 miles on Saturday, September 13 and 3.2 miles on Sunday September 14. Both days were hot and humid, and those hills in Sullivan County are killers!

Total Miles Run to date: 12.1 Miles
Total Mile Run/Walked: 13.1 Miles

Day 2 of Memorial Miles

2008-09-12T15:16:00.000-07:00

Day 2 of the Memorial Miles: The weather was rainy with slight wind, about 70. I ran for 3 miles bringing my miles run total to 6.

09/12/08

Miles Run: 3 Previous Miles Run: 3 Total Miles Run : 6 Miles
Miles Walked: 0 Previous Miles Walked: 1 Total Miles Walked: 1 Mile
Run/Walked: 3 Previous Run/Walked: 4 Total Run/Walked: 7 Miles

Memorial Miles Group at WTFC Winter Garden

2008-09-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

Memorial Miles kicked-off the first mile on September 11, 2008 with a group walk around the World Trade Center Site. There was close to 50 of us on this walk, we plan to do one group walk each month.

In addition to the group walk of a mile, I ran 3 miles when I got home.

Run Total: 3 Miles - Walk Total: 1 Mile

Total To date Run/Walk: 4 Miles

Intro to WTC Memorial Miles

2008-09-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I am participating in Memorial Miles, a grassroots fundraising effort to support the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center and a unique way to commemorate the lives of family, friends and colleagues tragically lost on that day. Staff working on rebuilding the World Trade Center site, many of whom are 9/11 survivors, want to show the public that we are keenly aware of the importance of completing the Memorial by September 11, 2011, and to find a way to help raise the funds needed to complete this vital project.
So, starting on September 11, 2008, we are each pledging to run and/or walk a minimum of 365 miles over the next year, and will recommit on a yearly basis until the Memorial is opened.
Over the next three years until the Memorial opens on September 11, 2011, I am pledging to run/walk a mile for every victim of the terrorist attacks on the WTC, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. I am committing to run a total of 2,980 miles or approximately 2.7 miles a day for the next three years.
Please join me in this important effort and make a donation to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. Memorial Miles pledges can be made via links provided here, WWW.national911memorial.org/memorialmiles You can also track my progress by checking out our blog at http://Memorialmiles.blogspot.com

Memorial Miles Logo

2008-09-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

Getting Ready

2008-09-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the Memorial Miles kick-off starting September 11, 2008, I have set up this blog to track my progress and to communicate with other interested persons. Once I get started I plan to record my mileage and any profound thoughts that come my way.