Thousands walk for freedom in Washington D.C.

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Matt Proietti
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Thousands of people participated in the Fourth Annual America Supports You Freedom Walk here, one of 330 such events designed to remember the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

The 1-mile walk began at the Women in Military Service to America Memorial at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and ended at the Pentagon where 184 people died when America Airlines Flight 77 crashed into it. 

The Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet entertained participants prior to the event. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England addressed walkers after mentioning the names of a few senior military officials who were among them.

"But everybody is distinguished here today," he said. 

Secretary England said Americans "wake up every morning a free people" thanks to people who serve in the military and, recalling the terrorist attacks of seven years ago, said the only reason more people didn't die then was because the terrorists lacked the ability kill more. 

"We lost 3,000 people...because (the terrorists) didn't know how to kill 30,000 or 300,000 or 3 million, but they would have if they could." 

The walking event was sponsored by America Supports You, a DOD program that provides opportunities for citizens to show their support for members of the armed forces. 

After the walk, participants were addressed by Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and were treated to a free concert by country musicians the Oak Ridge Boys adjacent to a Pentagon Memorial that will be dedicated this week in honor of those who died there seven years ago.

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