Palisades Firefighter Gets Big Texas Welcome with 'Ride for 9-11' Team

, a paramedic firefighter at in Pacific Palisades, along with five other firefighters, left Hollywood on July 24 to travel 3,300 miles to New York City. It's all for "Ride for 9-11," a trek in honor of the 10 year anniversary of 9/11.

The ride 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.

The team has a motor home traveling right behind it to provide a place to rest from the road. Friends, family and co-workers are taking turns driving the motor home and catching some great moments on film along the way.

We met up Ostrovsky in Shamrock, Texas, on Wednesday after a 100-mile ride from Amarillo. He said the group members were tired, hungry, but still smiling because of all the great people they've met on their adventure.

August 3-4 - Day 11-12

The team had been resting in Albuquerque, NM, where we last heard from Ostrovsky.

August 5 - Day 13

Ostrovsky said the group made the trek from Albuquerque to Vaughn, NM, without too much trouble. Perhaps the day or two off the pedals provided a little more pep in their step!

August 6 - Day 14

Ostrovsky said the 110-mile ride from Vaughn to Clovis, NM, was pretty easy. Of course these guys are in great shape, so the term "easy" is subjective!

Ostrovsky said the group saw a lot of animals, including antelope and deer.

"I've never seen so many cows in my life!" said Ostrovsky.

August 7 - Day 15

Perhaps there should be a saying, "All easy rides come to an end." The team faced a few bumps in the road from Clovis to Amarillo, Texas.

The motor home that follows the team usually leaves a little later than the cyclists and catches up with them down the road. However, on the way to Clovis, the battery went dead.

While a teammate was heading back into town, Ostrovsky said they realized they wouldn't have anyone to lead the cyclists down the road. The motor home often helps guide the riders and keeps them safe from traffic when heading into busier areas.

That's when Ostrovsky said an officer, Deputy Richard Beals, from the Randall County Sheriff's Department pulled up alongside them and asked if he could escort them to Amarillo.

Ostrovsky said the deputy traveled with them 40 miles into the city.

"When we came close to the city limits eight fire trucks met us," said Ostrovsky. "Flags were hung over the highway as we drove through. It was so cool."

August 8-9 - Day 16-17

Ostrovsky said they were treated so well by the community and by Amarillo Fire Chief Steve Ross during their rest days … despite the storms that flew in and out of town by the hour!

"It's pouring … with thunderstorms, thunder and lightning," said Ostrovsky. "They say, 'If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes.' "

The "Ride for 9-11" cyclists helped out at a fundraiser with the Amarillo Fire Department on Monday night at Blue Sky restaurant. Ostrovsky said it went really well and they raised about $3,500 in one night.

Ostrovsky said they were later invited to a minor league baseball game where the whole stadium gave the firefighters a standing ovation.

"It was really a taste of Americana," said Ostrovsky.

August 10 - Day 18

The team was on the road again come Wednesday. This time, it was a 100-mile ride from Amarillo to Shamrock. Ostrovsky said they were hoping for a tailwind, but ended up with a headwind for most of the day. The weather didn't help either. But cheers from fire departments lined up along their route to Shamrock kept the team going.

"It's 90 degrees with 70 percent humidity," said Ostrovsky. "It's like Hawaii, but without the palm trees."

We caught up with Ostrovsky when they had just arrived in the small town. Ostrovsky said when they stay overnight in the motor home, they rent one room at a motel so each person gets a chance to have a hot shower. He said renting only one room helps keep the costs down. After all, they want just about every cent they are raising to go to their charities.

But Ostrovsky told Patch that Shamrock proved to be a place he'll never forget. He said as he was about to pay for their motel room, a woman by the name of Pat Johnson began asking about their trip. He said he finished his conversation with Johnson and stepped away from the front desk. Ostrovsky said when he returned, the front desk staff told him Johnson had paid for the room and left him a note that read, "Thank you for your service, Pat Johnson."

"When you get that kind of response, it keeps you focused on what we are trying to accomplish," said Ostrovsky. "You kind of feel such a responsibility to keep doing something positive along the way."

The Ride for 9-11 team was scheduled to arrive in Oklahoma City by Saturday, so Patch will catch up with Ostrovsky while he's there. In the meantime, Ostrovsky might agree that kindness grows in many places, including a lucky little patch known as Shamrock.

• 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 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.

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