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Pentagon decision not to host Freedom Walk disappoints victim's widow Date published: 9/11/2009
By PAMELA GOULD Deborah Ivory has taken part in each of the America Supports You Freedom Walks held at the Pentagon since their inception in 2005. They've been a great way for her to catch up with others who lost loved ones at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. And they've provided a chance to see people she and her late husband knew from their Army careers. Normally she hears from organizers by August, telling her about events planned to commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people on U.S. soil. But this year she received only two brief e-mails, one about the memorial planned for New York and one telling her of this morning's wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon. "I was kind of disappointed when I didn't hear from them [about the walk] because I was getting my whole family geared up for it again," Ivory said yesterday. "There's not a whole lot of anything anymore." The Defense Department is breaking from a 4-year practice and not hosting the walk this year. "The DoD opted not to host a Freedom Walk this year due to budgetary considerations and the high costs associated with executing the event," spokesman David Oten said yesterday. He said the decision was made in November, before the current administration took office. The 2006 event cost $816,063, the 2007 event $1,045,673, and the 2008 event $715,071, Oten said, citing the 2008 Defense Department Inspector General's audit. He said a 2009 event was projected to have cost $700,000. WALKS TO REMEMBER Then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld inaugurated the Freedom Walk in 2005 to commemorate the 2001 attacks and as a way for the public to show support for the military and reflect on the nation's freedoms. One hundred eighty-four people were killed at the Pentagon when terrorists slammed American Airlines Flight 77 into the building. The first Freedom Walk traveled a two-mile route from the Pentagon to the National Mall, where country singer Clint Black performed. Last year, the walk started at Arlington National Cemetery and ended at the Pentagon. There, the Oak Ridge Boys performed within view of the Pentagon Memorial, which was dedicated four days later.
Date published: 9/11/2009
On this day 8 years ago, 2,974 of our fellow citizens – Husbands, wives, Dads, Moms, sons, daughters, police officers, fire fighters, members of the military -- woke up on an ordinary Tuesday and went about having what should have been -- but was not -- an ordinary day. Remember them. Please, pause and give them all a thought today -- a prayer even, if you wish. Never forget, today is not an ordinary day.
that complacency, disguised as "cost cutting," has infected the Pentagon. Instead of asking "why our sponsorship of this memorial event costs so much;" the "brass" simply cuts the sponsorship. I think it is safe to say that the Pentagon "spills" as much every day as the memorial walk costs them. Those 184 Pentagon employees and service people deserve more than this from the Pentagon. This is nothing less than shameful behavior that our enemies must be cheering.
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