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Mike Mullinax (left), Jeff Newton and Brenda Lynch stand for the National Anthem in Hurkamp Park after the walk.
About 50 people took part in the first Freedom Walk through Fredericksburg yesterday to honor the Americans who died in the attacks on 9/11. It was organized after an area resident learned that there wouldn't be a walk at the Pentagon.
Brenda Lynch (left), who lost her husband in the Pentagon attack, marches with organizer Ken Kreitz, Jim Roo Eppard and flag bearer Ken Creasy on William Street during yesterday's Freedom Walk in Fredericksburg. |
Area residents participated yesterday in Fredericksburg's first annual America Supports You Freedom Walk in memory of the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The walk, organized by Ken Kreitz of Spotsylvania, drew about
Kreitz, who lives in Massaponax, organized the walk here when he found out that the Pentagon would not be hosting a Freedom Walk this year.
Guest of honor at the walk was Brenda Lynch, an Aylett resident who lost her husband, James, at the Pentagon.
Mrs. Lynch, a retired federal government employee, received a free night's stay at the Homewood Suites in Central Park, and complimentary meals from Outback Steakhouse and IHOP.
"I appreciate what [Kreitz] is doing. I'm definitely going to try and stay in contact and do other things with him," she said.
While she was happy to be a part of the Fredericksburg event, Mrs. Lynch said that it was very important to her to have a Freedom Walk at the Pentagon.
"I don't know why the Pentagon isn't having one," she said. "I just don't understand."
In 2005, then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld inaugurated the Freedom Walks as a way to show support for the military and their loved ones and to commemorate the date of the terrorist attacks.
The Defense Department said this week that the event wasn't held at the Pentagon this year for budgetary reasons. The event cost about $700,000 last year and was projected to cost the same if it were held this year.
Fredericksburg resident Jim Roo Eppard showed his support by wearing a head-to-toe American flag outfit.
Eppard, who works as a DJ, said he thought it was important to have Freedom Walks on a local level as well as a national level.
"When the outpouring of concern at 9/11 is shown locally, it enhances recognition of it," he said.
For Eppard, the theme of the day was focusing on the sacrifices made on Sept. 11.
"I am here to honor our dead and celebrate our heroes, military and civilian," he said.
Kreitz was happy with the walk, but said he wished he could have done more.
"I feel like I probably shouldn't have slept last night," he said.
Aaron Richardson:
Email: arichardson@freelancestar.com
