I was 4 years old when I was watching TV and kept seeing over and over planes crashing into buildings. I didn't know why that was happening. I didn't understand why it was happening. I kept seeing it and hearing about it on every channel. I asked my mom, but she didn't have an answer so we just kept watching. I was scared and could see how scared and sad everyone on the TV was.

 

 

When I was 9 years old, I was in my 3rd grade class reading our Weekly Reader and I came across an article about America Supports You and hosting a Freedom Walk to honor our military and remember the terrorist attacks of 9/11. I read the article and thought of all the people who died in the towers and I thought of my uncle Brian who at the time, had already been to Iraq and was getting ready to go back for his second tour. I thought of how I wanted him and all the other troops to come home safe so I decided to host a walk to honor and remember those who died on that tragic day and to show support for the people who gave us our freedom, like my grandpa, Gary Lockner Sr., an army veteran and my grandpa, Dennis Rasile, an Air Force veteran.

 

 

 

Meet Rachael. This is my uncle Brian's wife. She has just returned from Iraq too. I'm so proud of all our troops and the more I do these Freedom Walks, the more I get to meet the great men & women who fight for my freedom. I hope everyone will join me in remembering September 11 and take the time to thank and support both our past & present troops for what they do for all of us every single day!