Episode 345: Patrick McGarry’s Ride to Remember

On September 11, 2001, Katie McGarry Noack had just arrived at the World Trade Center’s Windows on the World. She was attending Waters’ first-ever conference. Of the thousands who lost their lives on that day, Katie was one, along with 70 other delegates who had arrived to catch the morning presentations or settle in before participating in panel discussions later in the day. Patrick McGarry is Katie’s brother. For the 25th anniversary of that fateful day, he wanted to do something special to remember his sister: on March 8th, he will hop on his bicycle in San Diego, California, and begin a 3,000-mile journey across the US, ending in St. Augustine, Florida, on April 20th. The goal of his Pacific-to-Atlantic journey is to raise $100,000 to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children. We hope you listen to his story. If you’d like to donate, you can find all the information you’ll need here: https://www.aridetoremember2026.com/ (6:15) – Patrick McGarry joins the podcast. (7:30) – He talks about what his 3,000-mile ride will entail. (11:15) – Patrick discusses Katie’s story and why he decided to do something so daunting to remember her. (18:45) – Why did he choose the Tunnel to Towers Foundation? (26:45) – An examination of how people handle grief differently. (31:15) – How important was it for him to have his family’s backing on this endeavor? (33:45) – Details on how to connect with Patrick.