In an organization such as Tuesday’s Children, each day brings new stories, new ways the heart is touched, and new hope.  The story of Robert Diener, a 41 year-old German police officer who recently completed a cross-country bicycle trip to support programs for the children and families of Tuesday’s Children, is one of those stories that encompass all three.

When asked what inspired him to take on such a journey in a foreign country, he described a meeting in 2002 with children in Berlin.  He recalled meeting these children, family members of 9/11 victims, months after the attacks, who were vacationing overseas.  He said that when we saw these children, and the look in their faces and eyes, he was moved to do something.

Officer Diener, on sabbatical from the State Criminal Office in Berlin, rode his bike from Boulder, Co. to ground zero in New York after completing a 2,700 mile 40-day journey, with nothing more than a tent, sleeping bag and cell phone.  Without any professional training, besides a two-week training course, Diener pedaled across the states, stopping to tell locals about the many children and families that continue to suffer emotional trauma as a result of the attacks.  Diener decided to ride on behalf of Tuesday’s Children and their commitment to providing programming designed to address the needs of 9/11 family members at every stage of life and recovery, and ride his bike cross-country on behalf of their cause.

Upon his arrival in New York on Tuesday June 27, 2007, Diener was met by members of Tuesday’s Children, and on Wednesday, family members who lost loved ones in the attacks gathered at Joe O’s Restaurant, at 136 West 33rd St., to meet and thank Diener for his awe-inspiring journey.

To view a journal of Robert's journey >

Carmine Calzonetti, President of Tuesday's Children, introduces

Robert to the press

Robert and Janet Cascio, a mother involved in Tuesday's Children,

share a moment

Robert poses with his Novarra Touring Bicycle that accompanied him

on his journey

Robert, Janet, and Amy Wright (right),

Director of Events and Marketing, discuss the journey