9/11: World Care Freedom Walk

Unreal ... 10 years ago this past September.
Like millions of people ... I sat glued to the television watching the devastation unfold right before my eyes. I remember hearing in the news that President Bush was visiting an elementary school in Florida when he was notified about the 1st plane crashing into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
I felt so sad for all the lives lost and for the attack on America.
I am thankful he took immediate action and decided to go to war.

It almost seems like we blink and a year has already gone by ... time just seems to disappear faster and faster each year.

For the 10th year anniversary of the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Pennsylvania we participated in the Freedom Walk in honor of all who lost their lives.

An extremely sad day for our country ... indeed!

We arrived at Reid Park (the park is right next to the Zoo) at 7:30 am.

The Geico Gecko was there and all Geico employees that registered received a t-shirt. The rest of us that registered received a white t-shirt. Too bad they didn't have infant sizes.

Guess who was wide awake since the beginning until the end?

The little guy was. He wore his patriotic bib in honor of 9/11.

Way to go 'lil dude! .... and a water bottle at the ready.

The family 3 mile walk began at 8:00 am.

There was a decent amount of people at the walk but I wish there was alot more.

More people need to get involved!

The Gecko was at the helm.

Must have been hot in that costume but I never saw it slow down.

Truly a trooper. I would have fainted about five minutes into our walk, lol.

These palm trees provided great shade.

Walking past the zoo .....

...Just passed the zoo.

See the dirt behind us? That's where the new elephant exhibit is being built.

(if you remember reading my post about our last visit to the zoo you would know what I'm talking about)

On our way back to the park. This is the parks main entrance.

It was cool if you were in the shade but it quickly became warm as soon as you were out of it. Just several more steps and we were done.

I took a picture of these signs because of the pictures on them. Very dramatic.

Whole Foods provided healthy snacks and I'm glad they did because even though we had cereal before heading out here we were all hungry after the walk.

I had vanilla yogurt and added granola to it. The kids got blueberry muffins and fruit and Jacob got a breakfast bar, yogurt and granola, miniature cinnamon rolls and a banana ... gosh, you think Jacob got enough snacks? LOL!

Here we are after the walk ... eating our snacks to refuel our bodies. Riley was also hungry, he was like "guys give me my bottle please, I'm starving!"

The 3 mile walk was a breeze. I enjoyed it! We all did.

Shortly after everyone made it back from the walk there was a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.

The little guy didn't know what was going on. All he wanted to do was play with Daddy's geico necklace.

After the ceremony we were so hot that we decided to leave. The events weren't quite over but we were a bit worn out and Riley was becoming restless.

I had bought Riley a little plastic kiddie pool in early summer but I kept forgetting to blow it up for him. When we got home from Reid Park I set it up for the little guy and poured warm water in the pool and sat him in it. He just LOVED it!

Super cute!

The one picture where I'm holding him was right when I got him out. He was cold and tired and ready for his nap.

After we were rested and had an early dinner we headed back to Reid Park to listen to some patriotic Music Under The Stars performed by the Tucson Pops Orchestra. We had Gerry & Grace accompany us. I knew they would enjoy to listen to some awesome patriotic orchestra music.

We found our spot on the grassy field.

We stopped for coffee before arriving plus Gerry & Grace brought donuts, yum! 

Neat dog ... it is a Borzoi Russian Wolfhound.

Love the doggie booties!

Patiently waiting for the concert to begin and as most times, Riley was sleeping. He woke up shortly after it started.

Riley looking super cute in his patriotic attire.

The orchestra music was so relaxing and I had goosebumps mostly throughout the entire concert.

To me patriotic music is just as moving as Christmas music. I get so into it that I get chills and at times the songs/music make my eyes water.

The ones that have arrows are people we know or have met.

#1 is Alicia Hagerman playing the violin... remember a few posts back, Music Together, she was the instructor of the childrens music class that Riley attended at La Encantada. The only reason I knew that it was her was because I was zooming in to take a closer picture of the orchestra and I happen to aim it her way and I recognized her.

#2 is David Alexander on the trombone. He is the music teacher at Nathan's school and he also happens to be married to person number three.

#3 is Terry Alexander on the violin. She is Sydna's high school orchestra teacher.

Isn't this neat? We actually know several orchestra players. So cool!

I'll end my post with President George W. Bush's quote during his first speech on the events of 9/11:

"Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward and

freedom will be defended.

We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail".

Let us never forget!