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
The Weight We Carry: Walking in Remembrance Across the Brooklyn Bridge: 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 our journey at Foley Square in Manhattan. Many of us carried gallons of water in our backpacks, which the event organizers provided. 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 honor of 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 recognize 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.
Walking 1.5 miles in the pouring rain while carrying the extra weight made this tribute feel especially meaningful. Such a moving way to honor their legacy.
Thank you. The symbolic gesture meant a lot to the friends and families of those lost. I am grateful for the opportunity to stand with the friends and families of all who lost their lives. We remember them. We honor them. We will never forget.
WOW, I’ve never heard of this event either. What a powerful and meaningful way to honor those we lost and everyone whose lives were forever changed by 9/11. Walking together in the pouring rain while carrying that symbolic weight makes this remembrance even more moving. We will never forget.
Indeed. Honoring the dead and remembering them is standard around the world. We honor them because their lives mattered. Thank you for your feedback.
I have a particular view on this. The victims were not heroes, they were victims and so much of the stories told are mythology. My view is not popular but I have seen a whole boatload of evidence over the years and feel solid about my views.
Did you read my post, or were you just in a hurry to say something? The Remembrance Ruck was organized 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. We gathered to honor the dead and their families. Your comment is disrespectful. If you have nothing kind/thoughtful or compassionate to say, then say nothing. This is not the place to spout your victims-not-heroes beliefs and/or conspiracy theories. Show some compassion for the friends and families of those we lost, who most likely will read this post.
This sounds like it was such an amazing experience! It’s amazing how such a solemn activity can be so rewarding and quiet at the same time. In a similar sense, we retire US and Texas flags at all of our campouts with the Boy Scouts, and it’s such a great experience for the kids to learn the respect, to remember what the flag stands for, and those who have sacrificed for it.
True! It is an important ritual that all kids ought to learn, and adults as well. Knowing your history means knowing who you are. It was a very special day.
I love this idea so much. There is no better way to honor their bravery than to literally put yourself into their shoes.
Thank you, Beth. As the Official NYC Department of Veterans’ Services site said, it was an opportunity to honor the post-9/11 generation of veterans and service members, remember those no longer with us for their service and sacrifice, and honor the military families who carried the weight of that service alongside them.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in the rain with a weighted backpack sounds like a powerful way to honor the people being remembered. I especially liked how the event brought together military families, veterans, runners, parents, and people from different generations!
Yes, it really reflected the community as we were all there 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.
I heard about this and I saw some videos on the news. What a meaningful event to remember 9/11.
Thank you. It was a meaningful event, organized 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.
This is such a beautiful way to remember 9/11. I can’t believe it has been 25 years!
I agree, and we will always honor the memories of all who served and all who lost their lives.
It’s always heartwarming to see people come together to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Thank you to everyone who showed up and helped make this special, especially despite the bad weather. It’s wonderful to see that their service and sacrifice continue to be remembered.
Thank you for your feedback. I concur. The rain made the day even more symbolic and meaningful … through rain or shine, heavy or thin, we remember; we honor, and we never forget.
This is such a powerful walk to join. I am sure many had heavy hearts as they took their steps. It was such a horrific day, but it did show all the heroes.
Yes, it was a mix of complex emotions, along with honor and remembrance. It was a special day.
Sounds like an interesting experience. It looks like a great way to get some hard exercise and get out.
Richard, your comment is insensitive. Reading and responding accordingly is fundamental. A bit of compassion goes a long way…
I’ve never heard of this before. I really love this idea. It’s about as close as you’ll ever get to truly understanding their experience.
Exactly. Thank you! 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.
This is such a deeply moving post. Reading about your experience walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in the heavy downpour must have been quite a feat. I love how you described the rainfall as angels’ tears. It perfectly captures the collective endurance of everyone involved. Your words remind us that the weight that all of the service families carry outlasts any physical storm, and that their quiet sacrifices must not be taken for granted.
Thank you for your comment. I love what you said about “the weight that all of the service families carry outlasts any physical storm.” So true!
I hadn’t heard of the Remembrance Ruck before; such a powerful way to honor and remember those who served.
This was the inaugural year, so they held the special event for the first time on Sunday. The plan is to hold one every year. It was very meaningful, and many showed up to remember and support friends and family lost over the years. It was planned for a post-9/11 generation of veterans, service members, and military families while honoring those who are no longer with us.
Thank you for sharing this perspective. I also love that the event brought people together despite the rain. Sometimes showing up in uncomfortable conditions makes the act of remembrance feel even more meaningful. Walking alongside more than 1,000 people across such an iconic part of New York must have been an unforgettable experience.
Thank you. It was an unforgettable experience. I’m glad I went out to support the day and stand with the loved ones of all those who lost their lives.
Carrying gallons of water from Walt Whitman Park across the Brooklyn Bridge in that rain is a simple way to mark the event without turning the morning into a speech. Thanks for sharing it
You’re welcome. The gallons of water were symbolic. The message never changed. We were there 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.
The walk is a way to remember this event and honor everyone involved—before, during, and after 9/11; the association you make between the rain and angels’ tears is intriguing.
True… yes, angels’ tears is a saying I have heard in my culture, and it rings true.
Thank you for sharing your experience. The way you described the walk across the bridge, and the emotions shared on the day is touching. The world will never forget.
Indeed. Thank you too. It was a very moving event.