Motivation Mondays: Remembrance Ruck
“To recognize the service, sacrifice, and contributions of the post-9/11 generation of veterans, service members, and military families while honoring those who are no longer with us.” NYC.gov Event Charter detailing the tribute’s scope.
Motivation Mondays: Remembrance Ruck
“We ruck so we remember. We remember so their legacy lives on.” 9/11 Ruck to Remember Official Motto
“For many of our veterans, carrying a ruck was a part of their everyday service. A symbol of resilience and endurance.” Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani
On a rainy Sunday morning, September 13, 2026, over 1,000 folks from around the city and beyond gathered at Walt Whitman Park (Cadman Plaza) to participate in the inaugural, city-sponsored NYC Remembrance Ruck. The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services organized the event in partnership with New York Road Runners. Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani joined us as more than 1,000 New Yorkers gathered despite a heavy downpour to complete the route. The event honored the service and sacrifice of the post-9/11 generation of veterans, service members, and military families, and remembered those who are no longer with us.
Over 1,000 participants and I walked with weighted backpacks from Brooklyn’s Walt Whitman Park (Cadman Plaza), crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, and concluded at Foley Square in Manhattan. Many of us carried gallons of water in our backpacks, provided by the event organizers. Some carried extra gallons by hand. Many military personnel carried their rucksacks; some were fully and heavily loaded.
It was a solemn and poignant event as we signed in, gathered in the park, and watched a small group of military personnel perform Military Funeral Honors. Then we heard speeches from Mayor Mamdani and several of his commissioners, each sharing beautifully how important the occasion was and why we must honor those who served and remember the lives lost. They read the names of those being remembered, and we observed a moment of silence afterward. (See uploaded videos TBD) Soon after, we started our walk toward the Brooklyn Bridge, headed into Manhattan, with Foley Square as our final destination. It was a 1.5-mile walk, and it went by pretty quickly as we trudged along in the rain. The Brooklyn Bridge has an incline, but we were fine, as the rain washed away our weariness and cleansed us in ways far deeper than we even understood.
People from all walks of life were there: the young, the older, parents with children, military personnel, runners, walkers, and more. We all came out in remembrance of those lost and in gratitude for the veterans, service members, and families whose lives were shaped by service after 9/11. To me, the rainfall was the tears of angels joining us to honor all who served in many capacities before, during, and after 9/11. I connected with several people, and we all agreed it was worth getting drenched because those being honored had carried burdens far greater than our own. Some made the ultimate sacrifice; others continue to carry the lasting weight of service. We remember them. We honor them. We will never forget.
“I know that this ruck will be difficult, but that is exactly why we are here.” Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani
Motivation Mondays: Remembrance Ruck
“An opportunity to honor their service and sacrifice while also honoring the military families who carried the weight of that service alongside them.” Official NYC Department of Veterans’ Services dedication layout.
If you are wondering about the term “rucking”: What is rucking? Rucking is walking with a weighted backpack that combines strength and cardio. The word “rucking” comes from “rucksack,” a heavy-duty backpack used in the military. On Sunday, we came with backpacks and received gallons of water to carry. It was a symbolic gesture of the burden our military personnel and their families carry. It also made me think of the burdens borne by firefighters, police officers, first responders, and all who serve.
Many of the military folks came fully loaded, and their rucksacks looked super heavy. As I walked behind them, I imagined what it was like to carry those bags. I also imagined firefighters rushing into burning buildings, carrying equally heavy gear up flights of stairs, never to return. On 9/11, 343 FDNY members, 23 NYPD officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers lost their lives. Add that to the thousands of civilians lost in the attacks, those who died from subsequent 9/11-related illnesses, and the service members lost in the years that followed, and we can begin to understand the catastrophic nature and long-lasting ripple effects of that day. The ruck gave us a way to honor the post-9/11 military community while remembering the tragedy that shaped its generation. (National Park Service, NYC Department of Veterans’ Services)
How did I get to participate? I learned about this event through New York Road Runners (NYRR) and a follow-up email sent to members. I signed up immediately because I believe that if we want peace, we must all do our part to honor those who serve, support the families who stand beside them, and remember those we have lost. We remember them. We honor them. We will never forget.
Positive Motivation Tip: In memory of all impacted by September 11. We remember them. We honor them. We will never forget.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: From NYC/Gov/Veterans site and from my collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
I’ve never heard of this event before, but it’s such a fantastic way to remember the heroes who saved countless lives during such a tragic moment in history. I would absolutely go to this if I was in NYC and not Rome!
This was the first time it was presented in NYC. It was a special day, and even though it rained nonstop and everyone was drenched, it was worth the effort to do the remembrance walk with rucks of water and more in our backpacks.