Pentagon Freedom Walk
Thousands of Americans converged on National Mall for the annual 'America Supports You Freedom Walk' to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, and America's servicemembers, as well as to celebrate freedom. "It's important for us as a nation, because we stand as one against forces that would take away all the things that are important in our lives," said the Pentagon Chaplain, Army Col. William, Brooke, who read the 23rd Psalm and led a moment of silence and prayer before the walk began. Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace's Pace and Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England led the Freedom Walk participants past the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial before skirting Arlington National Cemetery, washed in the pink light of sunset. As the procession moved toward the Pentagon, gasps arose from the crowd when they caught their first glimpses of a huge, lighted American flag hanging from the side of the building -- reminiscent of the flag hung hours after the Sept. 11 attack. "On 9-11, the president said Never Forget. America will never forget that day -- what happened, those lost or all the heroes who have given so much to protect and defend this great country."
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World-renowned opera singer Denyce Graves sings 'America the Beautiful' with amazing grace during the second annual Washington, D.C., Freedom Walk at the Pentagon, Sept. 10, 2006.
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Denyce Graves moved the crowd with her extraordinary voice. This mezzo soprano superstar began her vocal training at the Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington in the late 1980s.
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Denyce Graves voice moved the crowd to a loving embrace.
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Graves next song was 'American Anthem' written by Gene Shear. Her voice will be a cherished memory by all that came.
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Immediately after Graves stellar performance the crowd paused and turn their attention to the Pentagon as blue beams of light pointed up to the sky.
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Participants of the 2006 Washington, D.C. Freedom Walk watch as 184 beams of light are illuminated at the Pentagon during the Washington, D.C., Freedom Walk, Sept. 10, 2006.
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One hundred eighty-four beams of light are illuminated at the Pentagon during the Washington, D.C. Freedom Walk, Sept. 10, 2006. The lights commemorate each life lost at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001
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186 lights commemorate the price of freedom that the men and women women of our armed forces pay to protect our nation.
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The beams of light were quite an emotional sight for the families of the 186 men and women who died in the the September 11, 2001 terrorist Attack. *
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Beams of light shine the heavens. The Spirit of America will never die. This gallery is dedicated to Robert Bobbin, a member of our DCpages family. May God protect Robert and the many service men and women that protect our country every day. Thank you.
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