Windham Center Juniors Take Part in Paulie’s Push

August 24, 2026 — Windham, Connecticut: Along with other members of the fire service community, Windham Center Fire Department junior firefighters Natalie Long and Josiah Cruz participated in Paulie's Push in 2026.

Paul Veneto, a former flight attendant for United Airlines, is the leader of Paulie's Push, a 25th anniversary initiative. In remembrance of the flight crews who perished on the four hijacked planes on September 11, 2001, he is pushing an airline beverage cart from Boston to Ground Zero in New York City. It is anticipated that the trip will travel over 1,000 miles in 2026.

Long and Cruz had the chance to learn from and collaborate with members of the emergency services community while participating in a community remembrance. Paulie’s Push describes the 2026 journey as a final push and has invited communities along the route to join in. The route included stops through Windham and Willimantic during the week of August 24.

Windham Center Fire said opportunities like this help Junior Firefighters become involved, build confidence, learn from others and prepare for their future in the fire service.