Participants in Freedom Walk march together to remember
By Carissa Marsh Special to the Acorn

Photos by JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers POWER IN NUMBERS- Moorpark resident David Dauch, above, carries a large banner as he joins the walkers on Presidential Way during the Freedom Walk from the courtyard of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to Rancho Madera Community Park in Wood Ranch on Tuesday. Keynote speaker Deena Burnett Baily, below, whose husband Thomas Burnett Jr. was among the ringleaders of the group of passengers that fought back against the terrorists on United Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001, speaks of dealing with the aftermath of that day. Burnett Jr. was a graduate of nearby Pepperdine University.

Against a backdrop of clear blue skies and rolling hills, hundreds of people gathered Tuesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to march in the second annual 9/11 Simi Valley Freedom Walk.

For Jean Fitzpatrick of Westlake, the walk was a time of reflection.

"It seems like yesterday; it doesn't seem like six years ago," Fitzpatrick said. "You still have a concern for the families that were left. It's a very solemn day."

While it was a somber anniversary, the 850 locals and outoftowners who assembled in the library's courtyard displayed a patriotic spirit, wearing red, white and blue garb and clutching small American flags.

"It was nice to see the whole community get together," said Simi resident Lisa Zimmer, who brought her two young daughters to the walk. "Being in your own community makes it that much more special."

The Reagan Library partnered with MilitaryConnection.com to hold the event commemorating the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The event also served to honor America's troops and veterans. The Simi Valley walk was just one of more than 220 America Supports You Freedom Walks held across the country earlier this week.

"It makes you feel the full impact of what happened and how our military people are reacting to it," said Dave Holmes, who lives in Wood Ranch. "It makes you very proud. It's a good feeling."

The ceremony included patriotic music, distinguished speakers and a 30-second moment of silence. An E-2 flyover wowed the crowd before walkers began their 1.8-mile descent from the library to Rancho Madera Community Park.

One of the event's more tearjerking moments occurred when Deena Burnett Baily recalled her memories of Sept. 11. Her husband, Thomas Burnett Jr., was among the ringleaders of the brave group of passengers who fought back against the terrorists on United Flight 93 and helped bring the plane down over Shanksville, Pa., before it hit its intended target.

Burnett Baily recounted each of the four phone calls her husband made to her that fateful morning and how he said they were going to take back the plane.

"Their willingness to stand up and act saved thousands of lives in Washington D.C.," she said. "There are many heroes that emerged that day. . . . Many of us will never be called upon to fight for freedom, to fight for our country."

Still, Burnett Baily challenged the audience to consider what they would fight for. Her story moved audience members to their feet, some even to tears.

"She certainly brought it home to us, what it was like for her that day," said Thousand Oaks resident Dorothy Sinclair.

Cpl. Megan Leavey, a PurpleHeart recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom, also spoke. Leavey, who grew up in New York and served as a volunteer firefighter, said Sept. 11 prompted her to "be proactive" and join the Marines.

Leavey ended her speech by asking the audience to "remember my fellow brothers and sisters who continue to fight the war against terror in Iraq."

For Sylmar residents and Marine Corps veterans David Castrellon and Fausto Galvan, the walk was about just that- showing support and respect for America's military men and women.

"Watching everyone support our troops means a lot to me," said Castrellon, whose daughter recently deployed to Kuwait for her second tour of duty.

Galvan, a Vietnam veteran, said he hopes people take away from the event a lasting feeling of remembrance and of being a proud American because "it's not just for today."

"I think Ronald Reagan said it best: 'Let us stand for freedom until freedom can stand alone,'" Burnett Baily said. "And we do that in our actions everyday."