Family Members, Troops, Veterans Join Fourth Annual Freedom Walk
(September 7, 2008) | 
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| | WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2008 – Some came to
the National America Supports You Freedom Walk today to help
heal scars left when the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack on
the Pentagon ripped a loved one from their life. Some came
to remember coworkers with whom they had served, whose days
were cut short when American Airlines Flight 77 smashed into
the building. Many who hadn't experienced a personal loss
said they walked to honor those who did, and to show support
for troops who continue to defend the freedoms attacked that
day. |
Army Staff Sgt. Chad Atkinson
walked with his family in the fourth annual
America Supports You Freedom Walk. Joining him
are his wife, Sylvia, right; daughter Mackenzie,
9, far left; daughter Rylia, 11, left; and
16-day-old daughter, Sophie. Defense Dept. photo
by Donna Miles |
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Nearly 10,000 people came
together this morning to kick off the seventh
anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks today
during the Freedom Walk. The walk, in its fourth
year, is one of 330 Freedom Walks being held
this week in all 50 states and 12 foreign
countries.
In the nation's capital, walkers assembled this
morning at the entrance to Arlington National
Cemetery, enjoying a picture-perfect morning
reminiscent of the one shattered seven years ago
during terror attacks at the Pentagon, New
York's World Trade Center and in Shanksville,
Pa.
Bagpipers and drummers from New York,
Philadelphia and Northern Virginia led the sea
of walkers in white “Freedom Walk” T-shirts
along the mile-long course from the Women in
Military Service for America Memorial to the
Pentagon.“Every
person here wearing a white T-shirt communicates
to the families that we haven't forgot those
killed on 9/11,” said Allison Barber, deputy
assistant secretary of defense for public
affairs, who established the annual Freedom Walk
tradition. “But the Freedom Walk is also a time
to recognize that what the terrorists attacked
on Sept. 11 was our freedom, and to show our
gratitude to the men and women in uniform who
continue to defend those freedoms.” |
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Stephanie Desimone, whose husband, Navy
Cmdr. Patrick Dunn, was killed in the Pentagon attack, said
seeing such a visible outpouring of support brings strength
to families who lost love ones.
“That support is so important to the families,” she said.
A
s she prepared to begin her second Freedom Walk, Desimone
paused to consider what the walk means to her personally.
“I'm walking here today for my husband and our family, and
what we have come through and how we have healed,” she said.
Family members, recognizable by the red bracelets around
their wrists, followed the bagpipers along the route as they
paid tribute to their lost love ones.
Heidi Zetscher returned this year for her fourth Freedom
Walk to honor her uncle, James T. Lynch, a Navy employee
killed in the attack. Marcella Potter and her sister, Amanda
Golinski, walked to remember their father, retired Army Col.
Ronald Golinski, who had returned to the Pentagon as a
civilian employee.
Lynch and Golinski were two of just five of the 184 killed
during the Pentagon attack whose remains were never
identified.
Veronica and Sylvia Carver, who lost their sister Sharon
Carver in the Pentagon attack, said the Freedom Walk helps
ensure the memory of those killed during 9-11 lives on.
“I've been doing this walk every year and I've watched it
grow and grow and grow. That's really wonderful,” said
Veronica.
“The Freedom Walk is a way to recognize the people who died,
but ever since we went to war, we realize that it's not just
about 9-11,” she said. “It's also about the soldiers, and
all that they are doing.”
For retired Army Maj. David King, who was working in the
Pentagon on 9-11, taking part in his third Freedom Walk was
a way to honor two of his office members killed, Army Staff
Sgt. Maudlyn A. White and Lt. Col. Jerry Dickerson.
“It's important to remember those who died that day and to
remind us why we are fighting this war,” King said. “I've
come to honor those who lost, and those who continue to
sacrifice.”
Many of the walkers have experienced those sacrifices
firsthand. Among them was Army Staff Sgt. Chad Atkinson, who
stood out from the crowd as he walked in his Army advanced
combat uniform with his wife Sylvia and three children, the
youngest just 16 days old.
“This is the first time I've been able to take part in the
Freedom Walk because I was home and not deployed,” said
Atkinson, a 14-year soldier assigned to the Defense
Intelligence Agency. “Being a military family, we wanted to
be here and support this effort. It's really nice to see all
this.
“From being deployed, I know how much American Supports You
has done, and this walk is an example of that,” he said.
Army Master Sgt. Steve Magnin also chose to wear his uniform
as he walked alongside his wife, Brenda, with both
expressing amazement at the size of today's turnout.
“I was just shocked to see how many people are here,” said
Brenda. “This shows that we will not allow 9-11 to be
forgotten. And no matter what your opinion is of the war,
whether you support it or are against it, this shows that
everyone is united in their support for the soldiers.”
“That's because they recognize that you can never take our
freedom for granted,” her husband said. “As a soldier who
has served in Iraq, I can tell you how great it is when you
see support for our nation and support for our soldiers. I
love to see a program like this work.”
Pushing a stroller along the route, Kelly McDonald wore a
yellow ribbon pinned to her Freedom Walk T-shirt as she
walked with coworkers from the Department of Veterans
Affairs. Just days earlier, McDonald had told her husband,
Army Capt. Patrick McDonald, who deployed to Iraq in May
with the 403rd Military Intelligence Detachment, of her
plans to take part in the Freedom Walk.
“For me, being here is two-fold,” she said as she passed a
giant American flag hanging from the side of the Pentagon
building, reminiscent of the one hung just hours after the
Sept. 11 attack. “It's to memorialize those killed during
the tragedy of Sept. 11. But it's also to show support for
my husband and his soldiers, as well as all members of the
military who are serving.”
McDonald said the Freedom Walk sends an important message to
all U.S. troops, particularly those like her husband who are
serving in harm's way. “It's important for them to know that
we are doing this to show our support, and that the American
public stands behind them,” she said. “Knowing that means a
lot to them.”
Navy Capt. Dave Duryea from Naval Sea Systems Command, who
returned with his wife Colleen for their third Freedom Walk,
expressed hope that Freedom Walk will help people refocus on
the lessons of Sept. 11. “It's important to remember what
happened, and I have concerns that some people are
forgetting it,” he said.
“We haven't been attacked again, but the threat is still
there,” he said. “That's why it's important that we remember
what happened, and we remember our servicemembers who are
deployed overseas and who continue to sacrifice. That's what
the Freedom Walk is about.”
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England set the tone for
today's Freedom Walk, telling participants the only reason
terrorists killed nearly 3,000 Americans on Sept. 11 was
that they didn't know how to kill more. The crowd cheered
when England extended thanks to the men and women in uniform
who gave stood the front lines to protect the United States
from another attack.
“We wake up free every morning because great Americans put
who put on the uniform of our country for 230 some years
have gone forward to protect and defend those freedoms,” he
said. “We have, as a nation, an amazing debt of gratitude to
all these people who have given their lives for these many
years for our freedoms and for the freedoms of future
generations.”
Kelly Wright, co-anchor of Fox & Friends Weekend and a
former Army sergeant, served as emcee at the closing concert
by the Oak Ridge Boys.
Wright noted the appropriateness of starting the Freedom
Walk, where servicemembers who have paid the ultimate price
have been laid to rest. Equally symbolic, he said, was its
ending point, just steps from the site where 184 lives were
snuffed out on Sept. 11, 2001.
Wright told the group he hopes their participation in the
Freedom Walk serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the
lessons of 9/11. “The Freedom Walk celebrates our freedom
and it reminds us of the sacrifice that has been made – and
continues to be made,” he said.
Today's Freedom Walk kicks off a week of commemorative
events leading up to the dedication of the Pentagon Memorial
Sept. 11. | |
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2008
Reprinted
from American
Forces Press Service / DoD ...
Photos courtesy
of the Department of Veterans Affairs
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