Team re-energises as trek heads west
Sean O'Leary - Chronicle Staff Writer

MARLBOROUGH — Dan Jones said he needed to be “re-energized this morning.” Jones, of the Bronx, N.Y., is one of many journeying from Boston to New York as part of the “Stonewalk,” which completed a leg through eastern Connecticut Thursday. The Stonewalk was organized by the group “September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows” to remember all civilians killed in war, including those killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

To “re-energize,” 20 volunteers embarking on one of their most arduous days during their journey gave each other “heart sandwiches.” A heart sandwich consists of one person putting their hands around another in a pseudo-hug, but without touching, and the purpose is for that person to give the other, according to Jones, spiritual energy. After each member received their “sandwich,” volunteers moved around the large, 1,400-pound stone being pulled from Massachusetts to New York, placed their hands on the stone, and observed a moment of silence. During the five-minute period where volunteers either received a “heart sandwich” or observed a personal moment, no words were spoken. The only sounds were from the occasional passing motorist or the faint noise of an overhead plane. Before the day’s journey commenced, some shed a tear while others embraced the spirituality of the moment. “There are a lot of emotions,” said Jones. “It brings to mind not only our losses, but all the losses.”