Palisades Firefighter Finds 9/11 Connections During Cross-Country Ride

, a paramedic firefighter at in Pacific Palisades is cycling for "Ride for 9-11," a 3,300-mile ride to New York City in honor of the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.

The last time we spoke with Ostrovsky, he was in Shamrock, TX, with five other firefighters participating in the ride. Patch spoke with Ostrovsky eight days and hundreds of miles later in St. Louis, MO.

Aug. 11-Aug. 13 - Days 19-21

Ostrovsky said the ride from Shamrock to Weatherford, OK, and on to Oklahoma City were good, solid rides.

When Ostrovsky arrived in Oklahoma City, he said the team was greeted by fire trucks lining either side of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. While touring the memorial, Ostrovsky learned that nine New York City firefighters went to Oklahoma City in 1995 to help after the bombing.

"It turns out seven of those firefighters were killed in 9/11," said Ostrovsky. "That's how far 9/11 stretches. It's everywhere across the country."

Aug. 14 - Day 22

The Sunday spent in Oklahoma City was a much-needed rest day for the group. In the morning, it would be off to Tulsa!

Aug. 15 - Day 23

The 130 miles from Oklahoma City to Tulsa, OK, was hot and humid, said the team. However, the riders were soon met by quite a bit of fanfare, according to their blog. As they approached their destination, by way of a small town called Jenks, the riders said the Jenks Fire Department escorted them into Tulsa with lights and sirens blaring.

Aug. 16 - Day 24

The riders crossed the state line from Oklahoma into Missouri on Day 24. The team was tired from the 126-mile ride, but their hearts immediately went out to the community of Joplin as they entered the city, said Ostrovsky.

Ostrovsky told Patch they rode along the path of a tornado that hit Joplin this past May. It caused serious damage to much of the city and left 160 people dead.

"It literally tore the bark off the trees," said Ostrovsky.

Ostrovsky said the riders spent the night in one of the fire stations in Joplin and that the hospitality of the department was incredible.

Aug. 17-18 - Days 25-27

Over the next two days, the team traveled from Joplin to Springfield, MO, and then on to Rolla, MO. Ostrovsky said the small town of Rolla greeted the riders with a fried chicken dinner when they showed up. According to Ostrovsky, that was hospitality one can only find in towns right in the heart of America.

"You feel like everybody's nice and everyone treats each other well," said Ostrovsky.

Aug. 19 - Day 27

On Aug. 19, it was onward to St. Louis, MO. Ostrovsky said the state had many pretty rivers and bridges, something you don't see everyday in Los Angeles.

"You look over a bridge, and there's actually water under there," said Ostrovsky. "It's not like the LA River!"

As the riders entered St. Louis, Ostrovsky said they really needed a few days of rest. He said the ride hasn't only been physically exhausting, but mentally as well. Ostrovsky summed the feeling up quite well in three words, "I'm dog tired."

Aug. 20 - Day 28

We caught up with Ostrovsky when he had a day free from pedaling profusely. He said with 1,500 miles still left to go, the team is trying to stay rested, but are also reflecting on what it will be like to reach New York City.

Ostrovsky said he and a friend, Jim Prabhu (who is also participating), came up with the idea for the ride. He said the two of them were watching the towers collapse on 9/11 and they felt so helpless.

"Firefighters, in general, don't watch people die," said Ostrovsky. "And I sat there that day and watched it happen. I wanted to show this was not a New York event. It affected America."

Four years ago, Ostrovsky and Prabhu began planning the ride. Ostrovsky said with the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 almost upon us, he wanted to show the people of New York that we will never forget.

"I couldn't do something 10 years ago," said Ostrovsky. "But I can help now."

Ride for 9-11 is also an effort to raise money for The Leary Firefighters Foundation and The Wounded Warrior Project. The Leary Firefighters Foundation, founded by actor Dennis Leary, provides funds and resources to fire departments nationwide. The Wounded Warrior Project provides support to wounded veterans as they work toward recovery.

• For Days 1-5 of the Ride for 9-11 trip, click here.
• For Days 6-11 of the Ride for 9-11 trip, click here.
• For Days 11-18 of the Ride for 9-11 trip, click here.
• For video from Ostrovsky on the road, click here.
• For up-to-date information check out the Ride for 9-11 blog page. Click here to get linked up.
• For the Ride for 9-11 website, click here.
• For The Leary Firefighters Foundation website, click here.
• For The Wounded Warriors website, click here.

Be sure to follow Pali Patch on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.