A tribute by the Dawn Partol and Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association on the morning of September 4, 2006 in Aluquerque, New Mexico

On the morning of September 4, 2006 Craig Kennedy said the Dawn Patrol will start setting up their hot air balloons no later then 5:15am and will take to the air at 5:45am. So we need to be at Balloon Park in Albuquerque around 5:00 am. You do not have to check out of your motel room at that time because you will have plenty of time to go back and get your things before we leave Albuquerque.

What they are doing on the morning of September 4, 2006 is of great significance:

1) They will be doing their version of a candle light visual for all the men, women and children that died on 9/11 and for the men and women in our Armed Forces that have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. When the gas heats up the air in the balloons it will shine brightly in the skies above Albuquerque.

2) When the morning sun starts to shine it will represent the bright side that always follows a dark moment. Sometimes a dark moment in time can feel like a life time but inevitably the bright side emerges.

3) Their taking to the air will be the kick off for all the 9/11 events planned for the State of New Mexico. It will also let every First Call Responder in New Mexico know that Governor Bill Richardson has made 9/11 "First Call Responders Recognition Day" in New Mexico.

Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association President Kevin Cloney told me that every year since 9/11 the AAAA has given rides to First Call Responders on the Saturday before 9/11. That is super of them.

We will leave from Albuquerque, NM and ride to Amarillo, TX. Our host for the evening will be the Hard Core Biker Ministries. We will be spending the night in Amarillo, TX.