Editorial: A Time for Celebration

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The Fourth of July is upon us once again. The annual tradition where people up and down this amazing country celebrate the birth of the United States with friends and family.

Throughout Greenwich, and this country, families and friends could be seen spending the day together. Whether at the ballpark, in front of a barbeque, at the beach or watching fireworks, the Fourth of July is a time to celebrate.

For me, the Fourth of July means so much more. My father, who bravely served in the United States Naval Academy, was also born on that day, back when people walked to school uphill (both ways, of course), in both three feet of snow and 130-degree heat. And I can’t forget about being barefoot during the walk. That was the running joke with my dad, and I use that now with my children when they ask about what school was like when I was their age.

That’s one of the many jokes we talk about when my family makes its way down for my parent’s annual barbeque/birthday bash, always held on the Fourth of July. We all joke, have fun, enjoy the food and drinks and celebrate our freedom and the American Spirit.

On Sunday, the Town of Greenwich put its wonderful spirit in display for the world to see.

Over 400 bicycle riders from all over started in Boston, Mass. and finished in Greenwich’s Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. It was 270 miles of biking through rain, mud, heat, humidity and a plethora of other situations that could arise when biking through several states.

But that meant nothing to the riders on this amazing journey. Everybody was a family. Someone was in trouble, someone didn’t hesitate and helped out. If someone needed to take a break, the team took a break.

So, the riders finished their three days of bicycle riding at Roger Sherman and Greenwich welcomed the riders home. There were hugs, high-fives, some tears and plenty or food and drinks to greet everybody.

You’re probably wondering how this all ties together. So, back to my dad. A few years ago, my father was complaining about weakness and difficulty breathing. After countless tests, both blood and neurological, it was determined that dad has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS.

The disease has progressed. The man that woke me up every Sunday at 5 a.m. (and that was a monumental challenge because I’m far from a morning person), so he could drive me to deliver newspapers around my neighborhood when I was a youthful teenager, is now in a motorized wheelchair. But don’t think for a second that it’s stopping him. He’s still playing with his grandchildren, threatening to run over his oldest son and cherishes his time with friends and family.

That is why the Tri-State Trek means so much to me. The event that ended in Greenwich on Sunday was put together by the ALS Therapy Development Institute, a wonderful nonprofit that puts money raised directly into its labs, in a never-ending quest to one day find a cure for ALS.

Greenwich didn’t hesitate for one second and welcomed ALS TDI into town with open arms. After all, the end of the bike ride is in Greenwich to honor Sgt. Roger Petrone, who passed away from ALS three years ago.

And it just wasn’t about letting people use a spot of land to congregate. Greenwich residents lined the streets to cheer on the riders.

They hugged the finishers after they crossed the finish line. They shared a beer or chatted over a hot dog. People came together in celebration.

To see this first-hand put a smile on my face from ear-to-ear. Because that’s what this Fourth of July is all about. It’s about community coming together. It’s about celebrating with family and friends and enjoying that time together. I know that I am looking forward to spending the day with all sorts of family members on Tuesday.

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