Man Passes Through CT On Walking Trek To NYC In Honor Of 9/11

Darien CT

10 September, 2021

10:04 AM

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CONNECTICUT — While many have traveled from Boston to New York City in a relatively short amount of time, former flight attendant Paulie Veneto is taking the journey one step at a time, while pushing an airline beverage cart no less, in honor of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. In honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Veneto is pushing his cart from Boston Logan International Airport to ground zero in New York City as a tribute to the flight attendants and crew members killed that day. His walking trek has been well-chronicled on the Paulie's Push website and Facebook page, as well as through various social media accounts of town government, police and others in the communities he has passed through. Veneto began his journey from Boston on Aug. 21 and was spotted in Connecticut four days later. On Aug. 31, he stopped to chat with employees of Liberty Bank in Middletown and even delivered a tearful, heartfelt message that was captured on video. "We all know when the [twin] towers came down," Veneto said in a video posted to the bank's Facebook page, "it was a horrific day...these crew members were never recognized for their heroics." Through tears, Veneto noted he was "just a guy pushing the cart" and he hoped footage of his journey shared on social media will remind families of those crew members their loved one was a hero. Later that day, Veneto posed for pictures with Durham Fair mascot Marigold the cow ahead of the popular event, which is scheduled to take place in late September. On Sept. 1, he was joined on his walk by fire crews from Durham, Northford and North Branford, as well as a bagpipe processional. Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, Veneto made his way through a number of Fairfield County communities. On Saturday, he was escorted through Fairfield by town police, who noted it was "an honor" to interact with him. That same day, Veneto was greeted by town officials, police officers and fire department crews in Westport and similarly escorted through the community, according to the town's Facebook page. Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said she had the pleasure of meeting Veneto as he walked through Westport on Saturday. "His dedication to the memory of the crew members who lost their lives on 9/11 is tireless," Tooker said in an email. "It was an honor for me and our first responders to escort Paulie through town and for so many of our residents to meet him." Westport Police Lt. Dave Wolf told Patch the department was honored to have Veneto pass through the community during his journey and officers were happy to help him make it through town safely. "I think his journey [is] important," Wolf said in an email, "because he is sending the crucial message that as we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we must make sure we never forget the victims nor those who sacrificed their lives to protect their fellow citizens." The next day, Veneto was spotted in Darien, where he met up with First Selectman Jayme Stevenson and was assisted by police. Darien Police Sgt. James Palmieri said the department was honored to take part in his memorial walk. "As first responders, it's especially important to us to honor all of the brave people who died while helping others," Palmieri said in an email, "to include all of the airline staff who showed immense bravery in the face of extreme adversity. Paulie's Push was a visible reminder to all of us of those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day." God Bless former flight attendant Paulie Veneto for pushing a beverage cart from Boston Logan Airport to Ground Zero in honor and memory of all the 9/11 flight crews & attendants whose heroic efforts to save lives must be remembered!⁦@TownofDarienCT⁩ #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/lhy4OsliWZ— Town of Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson (@DarienCEOJayme) September 5, 2021 After making his way through a few more Connecticut communities, including Norwalk and Greenwich, Veneto completed the Connecticut leg of his trek and crossed over the New York border on Labor Day, according to the Paulie's Push Facebook page. "Congratulations Paulie," the post read, "you're almost there!"