Meet a Memorial Miler- Barbara Lynn Carreiro

Where are you from?

I have lived in Country Village, Jersey City, NJ all of my
life. We are currently renovating our house in Bayonne, NJ, which is our new
home.

What is your role on the World Trade project?

I am the Sr. Administrative Secretary to the Assistant Director of WTC Construction and the WTC Transportation HUB Program. Some of my duties include making sure my boss, along with other staff, get to their important meetings, and I type important letters and documents regarding the WTC site.

Why did you become/why are you now part of the Memorial Miles program?

I wanted to do something to help support and raise money for the National
September 11 Memorial and Museum. It is very important to build a
memorial and museum to honor the memory of those who did not survive
that horrible day. Many heroic people of all ages and backgrounds lost their
lives that day. We must never forget.

Where were you on 9/11/01?

At that time, I worked at the Newark Legal Center for the Economic Development Dept of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Since all the phone lines were down at the WTC, our facility became one of the Hot Lines to call for the status of Loved Ones. My phone number was put on television as one of the Hot Lines to find out information about the missing. I was answering phone calls from parents, relatives, friends, co-workers, etc. of the missing. It was difficult, but I tried to give as much information as we knew at the time to soothe their nerves. Soon after, HRD and a psychiatrist were on hand to answer the phone calls.

Prior to Economic Development, I worked at One WTC for the Interstate Transportation Department. I also worked for Management and Budget in the 1980s at the WTC.

I was home the whole week because it was my
daughter’s first week of Kindergarten. I wanted to bring and pick her up from
school. I remember receiving a phone call from a friend that morning to put
the television on. The first Tower had already come down. My initial
reaction was shock, disbelief, and horror. At first, I thought it was some
kind of accident. Then, soon after, I watched a 2nd plane hit the other WTC
Tower. I knew, now, it was more serious than an accident. It was intentional.
I remember worrying for my sister’s life, who works at the hospital across
from the Seaport (THANK GOD my sister survived and came home
around 8:00 pm by ferry).

I also remember great concern and worry for co-workers,
friends, etc. who might not have escaped this tragedy. You can say I went
through a range of emotions for a while; this tragic act made us more
aware of our world and more grateful for the Country we live in. I
appreciate my family, friends, and life more. I take nothing for granted.

What are your hopes for the Memorial Miles program?

My hopes are that we raise enough money to help contribute to the building of the
Memorial and Museum to honor the lives of the people who did not
survive on 9/11/01. People from all over the world would come to pay
their respects.

Monthly Group Walk, Brooklyn Bridge- June 1, 2009

In celebration of the 126th Anniversary of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, in May of 1883, this month's Memorial Miles walk took us across that world famous, beautiful span.

OK, technically, this was the Memorial Miles Group Walk for May. However, Friday, May 29 was a rather nasty day in the New York area so the May walk actually occurred in June- another Memorial Miles first! fortunately, the weather cooperated, and on Monday, we were fortunate enough to have a beautiful day for our walk over the Bridge.

It was interesting to note how many of us have lived and/ or worked in the area for many years without ever having made the trip across this great structure.

Here, Tom, Anita, Clarelle, and Abdul make their way up the ramp that leads to the bridge.

From left to right, Abdul, Tom, Amadou, Clarelle, Vivian, Anita, Michael, and Kamran pose at the western support of the bridge.

Clarelle, Anita, Tom, Michael, and Amadou take a quick break in the center of the span.

Clarelle and Tom, (an engineer and an architect) conduct their own inspection of the bridge and its construction techniques. Good news- they think everything is OK!

As another month fades away, Milers everywhere-

Keep Going!!!

Thanks to Kamran for the great picture taking, as always!!

REACH 5k Run - Torne Valley

REACH - Family Fun Run/Walk/5K

June 7, 2009

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.

AHA Wall Street Run - May 19, 2009

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 travels 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 Hamilton and Paul Pietropaolo on Broadway making their way to the starting line.

Joan and Paul at the Staring Line!

Peter and Connie Lee get ready for the race.

The Start of the race.

Paul with the Brooklyn Cyclones mascot at the end of the race!

Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K Fun Run/Walk

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.

Sign up Time! Tom Grassi gets ready. Josh Teicher and David Shah get ready to film.

WCBS 880's Tom Kaminski MC's the event, and WPIX 11 Mr. G ready to start the race.