On August 23rd, a convoy of trucks, helicopters, police cars, fire equipment, vans, buses and 1,000 motorcycles will leave Floyd Bennett Field at 7 A.M. sharp. They will drive 311 miles through New Jersey and Pennsylvania to deliver a steel cross from the World Trade Center to the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department. These firefighters were the first responders on September 11, 2001 to the Flight #93 crash site.

While there are many volunteers involved in a project of this size, Breezy Pointers will be well represented. Paddy Concannon is the lead organizer with the FDNY Fire Family Transport and will haul his Engine 343 to Shanksville.

Bob Crawley will drive the truck carrying the steel cross. Ed Carroll secured the NYPD Canteen for Floyd Bennett. Chief Ed Valentine will escort the convoy with 2 EMTs with medical equipment and Lt. Kathy Doyle has arranged a fly over just before "wheels up" at 7 A.M. "When we say we will never forget, we mean it." The Iron & Steel Run will raise money for a new van for the FDNY Fire Family Transport foundation and help support the Wounded Warrior Foundation. The NYPD, FDNY and PAPD are all involved in this event. For more information, please go to www.ironandsteelnyctoshanksville.com.

In response to a question regarding the $15 million of federal money for ferry service in the Rockaways that was secured by Congressman Anthony Weiner, the Congressman  said at the Point Breeze Association meeting held last Monday night that the Mayor of New York has turned down this money indicating that the City would go it alone.

Mr. Weiner said that it's almost as though the City is limiting its investment in the ferry operations. Mr. Weiner secured the commitment of $15 million two years ago and announced at that time that this money was available to build three boats capable of ferrying passengers between Rockaway and Manhattan.

Noting that the ferry service has continue to increase in ridership Mr. Weiner said it would be a good time to add additional stops and service times to the commuter ferry. He believes that the Mayor doesn't want the ferry to succeed and would like to get out of the ferry business entirely.

All of Breezy joins in congratulating Kara Lynn Joyce on winning the Silver medal in the 4 x 100 Women relay. This is the second time that Kara has brought home an Olympic medal. She won a Silver medal in the 2004 Olympics in Greece.