Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Second Annual Simi Valley Freedom Walk, 9/11/2007

I just got back from the second annual Simi Valley Freedom Walk held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and let me say that this year's was a great program.

Each of the speakers were outstanding and very "real." There were a number of heart felt moments during the speeches (that was NOT a tear in my eye... the wind blew some dust into it... oh, there was no wind?... um... well... still... yeah) that I still feel the effects of.

Corporal Leavey and Deena Burnett Bailey's speeches were extremely touching. They received standing ovations and deserved every second of them.

The entire program moved quickly and with a purpose. The organizers did a great job.

A great touch was the "Service Anthems" where the outstanding 1st Marine Division Band played a medley of military branch anthems and as a given service's was played, they asked that active members, veterans, people with serving family members, or who've lost family members in that service to stand and be recognized. That made us all a part of the program, to be able say thank you, to be thanked and to feel the strength and love of the community.

9/11/2001 still effects me deep in my gut, and while I wish it never happened, this was a great way to share the pain and to show the world we will not forget and we stand together as Americans...

Anyway...

I've uploaded my pictures now to a LiveSpaces Photo Album (cause there's a bunch of them and with the new Live Windows Photo Gallery it's so to do, and I like LiveSpaces Photo Album viewing experience ... ;)

Here's a select few of them...

The handbill