Free Republic

SEBRING, Ohio, Sept. 12, 2007 – The more than 1,000 people who walked in the second annual Freedom Walk here yesterday did so to remember, reflect and commemorate those who were killed in the terrorist attacks six years ago. Irma McVicker (left), her daughter, Molly, and husband, Mark, remember their son and brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel McVicker, during a musical tribute at the end of Sebring, Ohio's second annual Freedom Walk on Sept. 11, 2007. Daniel was killed Oct. 6, 2005, while serving in Iraq. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. For one...

Ancient humans walked but 'struggled to run' By Roger Highfield and Nic Fleming Last Updated: 12:01pm BST 11/09/2007 Ancient humans almost certainly walked upright on two legs millions of years ago but may have struggled to run at even half the speed of modern man, according to computer simulations. A University of Manchester study - presented to the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival of Science in York- proposes that if early humans lacked an Achilles tendon, as modern chimps and gorillas do, then their ability to run would have been severely compromised. Our early ancestors preferred to...

Almost four decades after John Cleese performed his "silly walks" sketch on Monty Python's Flying Circus, mathematicians have concluded that they are, indeed, silly. Today, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical and Physical and Engineering Sciences, an analysis of walking and running concludes that they are the most efficient forms of two-legged locomotion "Our legs are capable of much more than just walking and running," said Manoj Srinivasan, one of the co-authors. "We prove that for a very simple mathematical model of a biped, walking and running minimise the amount of leg work required per distance at...

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2007 – As the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, America Supports You is gearing up for its third annual Freedom Walk on Sept. 9 in the nation’s capital. Thousands of people gather at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to participate in the second annual America Supports You Freedom Walk, Sept. 10, 2006. The walk began at the National Mall and ended with a light display at the Pentagon. Plans are under way for the third annual Freedom Walk, scheduled for Sept. 9, 2007. Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen,...

A walk in the country may beat depression By Amy Iggulden Last Updated: 1:27am BST 14/05/2007 Country walks can significantly reduce depression and raise sufferers' self-esteem, according to research published today. The first study into "ecotherapy" found that fresh air and exercise cut depression in more than 70 per cent of people. A 30-minute walk in a country park also boosted self-esteem in nine out of 10 sufferers. The dramatic findings raise questions about the wide use of anti-depressants, and have led to calls for "green therapy" to become mainstream practice. Prescriptions for anti-depressants reached record levels last year. More...

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Sept. 12, 2006 – This colonial city, Maryland’s capital and home of the U.S. Naval Academy, commemorated the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks yesterday morning with its first Maryland Freedom Walk. More than 100 area residents joined Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, walking together through a light drizzle to the Maryland Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The Annapolis City Color Guard led the procession along Rowe Boulevard, the main thoroughfare into the city center, to the memorial. There, fourth graders from St. Mary’s Elementary School led participants in...

OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 12, 2006 – With the sun hanging low in the western sky yesterday, Oklahomans of all ages assembled at the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. They came to this sacred ground to remember those who lost their lives to terrorism. They came on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to participate in the Oklahoma City Freedom Walk, a commemorative event about remembrance of the Sept. 11 victims, reflection on the tragedy of that day, recommitment to the ideals of freedom that epitomize the United States its promise to “never forget,” and respect and support...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Sept. 11, 2006 – Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee led Little Rock’s Freedom Walk today, marking the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. The Freedom Walk was established Sept. 11, 2005, as an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost Sept. 11 and to honor U.S. military members past and present and pay tribute to emergency responders who put their lives on the line every day. Little Rock’s Freedom Walk was among more than 130 local Freedom Walks being held today and this past weekend throughout the United States. Huckabee, joined...

Fort Stewart Freedom Walk Sustains Spirit of 9/11By Pat YoungSpecial to American Forces Press Service FORT STEWART, Ga., Sept. 11, 2006 – Soldiers and families of the 3rd Infantry Division, representatives of Fort Stewart, the city of Hinesville and Liberty County, and more than 1,000 other guests displayed their unity at twilight yesterday to observe the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, with a commemorative Freedom Walk. Soldiers, civilians, emergency responders and volunteers help set up the site for the Sept. 10 Freedom Walk along Fort Stewart, Ga.'s Warriors Walk. Photo by Pat Young  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2006 -- Amid the thousands of walkers at the Pentagon yesterday commemorating the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and the nation’s past and present veterans, was a group that looks to help those veterans in a very tangible way. The American Legion’s “Heroes to Hometown” program, which was represented at the end of yesterday’s America Supports You Freedom Walk, is a group that works to provide a seamless transfer for severely injured veterans from the hospital to their hometowns. “We wanted to be a part of this, of course,” David L. Marsh, assistant director of...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2006 -- They represented a cross-section of America -- thousands of men, women and children of all ages, races and backgrounds from every corner of the country -- and came together yesterday during the second annual America Supports You Freedom Walk here to pay tribute to those killed on Sept. 11, 2001. Two soldiers who understand firsthand the loss of Sept. 11, 2001, cross Memorial Bridge during the America Supports You Freedom Walk. Army Spc. Cindy Davis from Headquarters Company at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, lost two uncles, both firemen, in the World Trade Center....

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2006 -- White Sands Missile Range, N.M., yesterday became the first U.S. city to hold a local Freedom Walk to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and honor veterans past and present. More than 30 military and civilian employees at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., gather for the Sept. 7 Freedom Walk to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and to honor veterans, past and present. Photo by Jose Salazar  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. More than 30 military and civilian employees at the massive range,...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2006 – Chicago will remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the nation’s past and present veterans with a Freedom Walk on Sept. 10 at the north lawn of Soldier Field. The event is one of more than 120 similar events planned this weekend in all 50 states to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the attacks. Chicago felt a deep-seated need to hold a Freedom Walk, Eric Schuller, senior policy advisor to Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, said. “Chicago’s kind of the heartland of the United States,” he said....

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2006 -- Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., has partnered with the Waynesville School District and communities surrounding the base to host a Freedom Walk on Sept. 11, a Fort Leonard Wood official said. “It isn’t just about the military,” Mike Alley, chief of external communication at Fort Leonard Wood, said. “The impact of 9/11 five years ago impacted everybody, and remembering and making sure children remember was why we partnered with the school district.” The event begins promptly at 9:11 a.m. at the off-post Waynesville Middle School parking lot. A representative of Fort Leonard Wood’s Maneuver Support Center...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2006 – Thousands of Kentuckians are expected to show their patriotism at the Sept. 10 Freedom Walk in Louisville, Ky., a volunteer organizer for the event said yesterday. “I think it’s more than appropriate that we show support for our troops who have their lives on the line daily to ensure that we have freedom,” Wayne Hettinger told American Forces Press Service during a telephone interview from his office in Louisville. “The response we’ve had in the Louisville area has been phenomenal,” Hettinger said, noting he and other Louisville Freedom Walk organizers are preparing for a large...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 -- Columbia, S.C., will remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and honor servicemembers past and present with a Freedom Walk Sept. 11, according to a news release from the city. The walk will begin at the State Capitol at 11:30 a.m. and conclude at City Memorial Park with a wreath-laying ceremony. Participants will include members of the general public, public service representatives, state and local government officials and representatives of all military services, the release said. Jenny Sanford, wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, is scheduled to...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 – The northwestern suburbs of Chicago will hold a Freedom Walk on Sept. 9 to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor the nation's veterans, past and present. "We just really feel that on this five-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, it's extremely important that we honor, in a very visible way, the victims of 9/11, … our military and our police and firefighters," Dirk Beveridge, the event's lead organizer, said. The walk will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Metra train station in downtown Barrington. The walk will be...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 – Waxhaw, N.C., will be awash in red, white and blue Sept. 9, as the town holds a Freedom Walk and “Waving Patriotism” event to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and honor servicemembers, past and present. Hosted by Flags Across the Nation, a nonprofit group that promotes patriotism, the events and walk will begin with a welcome ceremony at 11 a.m. near the town’s Memorial Wall and fire station and conclude at 5 p.m. Those attending are encouraged to write letters and create patriotic art for the troops. They can also brush up on flag...

WASHINGTON, Sep. 1, 2006 – Fort Riley, Kan., an Army base that’s been a big player in the war on terror, will commemorate the terrorist attacks that gave rise to it during a Freedom Walk Sept. 11, the fifth anniversary of those attacks. More than 500 students at the post’s Ware Elementary School, 99 percent of them military children, and 85 staff members will participate in Freedom Walk, according to Pat Olmstead, the event organizer and family support monitor at the school. The participants will assemble for the 2 p.m. walk wearing red, white and blue clothing and carrying large...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2006 – Atlanta will join communities across America to host a Freedom Walk Sept. 11, the fifth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. The Freedom walk is being sponsored by Checkers restaurants, and presented by Operation Homefront. “We wanted to reflect on the events that happened on 9/11 at the Pentagon and the twin towers in New York City, and in Pennsylvania,” said Vicki Sarracino, president of the Georgia chapter of Operation Homefront. “And we also wanted to renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country, and to honor the...