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We are pleased to be partnering with Operation Home Front Illinois to bring you our Annual Freedom Walk during the 2010 Freedom Festival.
The goal of our annual Freedom walk is to continue a national tradition to reflect on the lives lost on September 11, renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country, to honor our active duty military personnel, national guard, and reserve soldiers, their families and veterans.
Freedom Walk participants will be given T-Shirts.
Freedom Walk News from the Past.
Barrington, IL, Aug. 20, 2007 – The Northwest suburbs of Chicago area will hold a Freedom Walk on Sept. 6 to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States seven years ago and to honor the nation's veterans, past and present.
"We just really feel that on this seven-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, it's extremely important that we honor in a very visible way the victims of 9/11 and our military and our police and firefighters," Dirk Beveridge, the event's primary organizer, said.
The Northwest suburbs of Chicago area Freedom Walk will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Metra train station in downtown Barrington. The walk will be about a quarter mile long. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to take part in We Do Care’s Family Freedom Festival prior to the walk, which starts at 12 noon with entertainment on the main stage.
While everyone is encouraged to join in the walk, children are being asked to lead the Freedom Walk, and will carry a United States flag that has flown in Afghanistan with troops fighting the war on terrorism. The walk will conclude at the main stage of the Family Freedom Festival with the flag being raised as the children lead the crowd in the saying of the national anthem.
Beveridge is the founder of the nonprofit organization "We Do Care," which is sponsoring the walk. We Do Care is dedicated to helping the community find tangible ways to support active duty military, veterans and military families.
"We know most people are asking the question ‘what can I do to help our troops," Beveridge said. "and our family oriented Freedom Festivals allow them to meet great organizations to adopt soldiers, send care packages, write notes and letters, thank veterans and gold star families, and even help military families in need.."
“As we approach the seventh anniversary of 9/11, now is the time to reflect upon and pay tribute to those protecting our country and fighting the war against terrorism,” said Beveridge. “This family-spirited event is a fun way to get the entire family involved in the celebration of our freedom, our way of life, and the goodness of America.”
Numerous other Freedom Walks are planned around the country to remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 and to honor America's past and present military veterans. The Defense Department's America Supports You program is sponsoring the main Freedom Walk in Washington, D.C. The other Freedom Walks are independently organized.
America Supports You is a nationwide program that helps showcase Americans' support for the men and women of the armed forces and their families. Since its launch in November 2004, the program has welcomed more than 225 grassroots organizations and more than 25 corporate team members. Kilgore's group, United We Serve, is a member of the America Supports You program.
The first America Supports You Freedom Walk was held Sept. 11, 2005, in Washington. It brought together more than 15,000 walkers, including family members of the victims of Sept. 11, members of Congress, federal workers, corporate employees, civic organizations, and citizens from around the country, DoD officials said.
Information for people interested in organizing Freedom Walk observances in their communities is available at the America Supports You Freedom Walk Web site. While you do not need to register to participate in the walk, if interested in arranging for a group, team, or club to walk in the Barrington Freedom Walk you can contact Dirk Beveridge at Dirk@we-do-care.org.
"It's time to remember and come together as a country," Beveridge said. "It's also important to also honor those who are still continuing to take care of us."
You can learn more details including an update of all events and times about the Freedom Walk and Family Freedom Festival at www.we-do-care.org.
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