E-MAIL
PRINT
Walkers will start at 11 a.m. at the Basin Triangle across from the Christiansted Police headquarters, proceed down King Street, and finish with a remembrance ceremony at the Myron G. Danielson American Legion headquarters located in Gallows Bay.
The event, sponsored by the American Legion District No. 10’s Post, will commemorate the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks against the United States.
Nearly 3,000 people died that day when Al-Qaeda suicide bombers hijacked four commercial airliners and crashed two into the World Trade Center in New York and one into the Pentagon in Virginia. A fourth airliner was aimed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., but instead crashed in Shanksville, Penn., after its passengers attempted to take control of the jet from the hijackers.
The following are the names of Virgin Islanders killed in the attacks or who were related to Virgin Islanders: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Maudlyn A. White (Pentagon); Christian Maltby, (World Trade Center); William Henry Jr. (firefighter at the World Trade Center); Chris Kirby (construction worker at the World Trade Center); Claudia Sutton (World Trade Center); Felix "Bobby" Calixte (World Trade Center).
According to American Legion District No. 10 Cmdr. Charles David, St. Croix continues to participate in the annual event because the purpose of the walk is to establish a national tradition to reflect on the lives lost on Sept. 11 while renewing our commitment to freedom and the values of our country.
“We’re just trying to keep the memory alive,” David said. “It’s a day that really changed the world.”
The first America Supports You Freedom Walk was held on Sept. 11, 2005 in Washington D.C. It brought together more than 15,000 walkers, including family members of the 9-11 victims, members of Congress, federal workers, corporate employees, civic organizations and citizens from around the country. All walked to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 and to thank our veterans, past and present, for protecting America’s freedom.
“To me it should be one holiday celebrated by all,” David said. “That’s the day the world stopped.”