PATRIOT’S DAY

Today is September 11^th … the 911 call that woke America up to the saddest day in our history.  We now have Patriot’s Day so that no one will ever forget that tragic day when the buildings came down and our innocence was taken from us. 

But for those who were alive that day, we will never forget September 11^th.  The brave men and women of the NYPD and the New York Fire Department. 

And who could EVER forget the canine heroes such as Trakr, a German Shepherd from Canada who was named one of the most heroic dogs ever  by Time magazine for his efforts to help find survivors among the rubble of the World Trade Center.  In the immediate aftermath of the 9-11 attacks, Traker worked tirelessly for three days braving unimaginable conditions to search for survivors.  He walked across hot steel beams as fires raged in pits hundreds of feet below, crawled through narrow tunnels of unstable debris, breathed smoke and debris-filled air and braved treacherous footing – never once showing fear or hesitation.  He simply forged ahead because of his remarkable valor and ability to sense the desperation around him.  Trakir and his partner, Office James Symington, worked at the site of the World Trade Center after 9-11.  In addition to locating victims, Trakr sniffed out the last survivor buried beneath the rubble.  

 Trakr and James retired and moved to Los Angeles.  In  April 2009, Trakr died peacefully at their home.  He was 16 years old. 

In 2008 Symington won an essay contest sponsored by BioArts International to find the world's most "cloneworthy dog". As a result, Trakr was cloned, producing five puppies:  Trustt, Solace, Valor, Prodigy, and Déjà vu.  They were all trained to be Search and Rescue dogs.  We give kudos to James Symington for what he did through these five sons of Trakr.  They now make up Team Trakr, an international canine Search and Rescue organization dedicated to continuing the legacy Trakr left behind.

James Symington with Trakr's 5 Sons

Ground Zero, 2014

Today on Patriot’s Day, celebrate being an American!   A great way to do that would be making yourself something All-American like a good old-fashioned Chocolate Malt!   There’s nothing more All-American than that.

Chocolate Malt

4 cups vanilla ice cream, better quality ice cream

1 cup milk (adjust according to thickness desired)

½ cup chocolate malt powder

1 cup smashed malted milk balls

1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup Chocolate Syrup (for an extra chocolaty malt)
4 maraschino cherries (for garnish)

Combine ice cream, milk, malt powder, malt ball pieces and vanilla extract in a blender.  Blend until you have a smooth consistency.  Garnish with a cherry.  Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles.  Makes 4.