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From: East Brook Middle School
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Added: 01-16-2008
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My town, Paramus, is located less than ten miles from New York City. We suffered great losses on September 11th. Even though six years have passed, the hurt still lingers. In January of 2007, I decided to initiate a Freedom Walk. I organized this event to remember lives lost on 9/11 and to honor our local First Responders and Veterans, past and present. On September 9th, a beautiful Sunday afternoon, over 450 Paramus residents, Fire, Police, Rescue, Ambulance crews, Veterans and US Congressman Scott Garrett gathered as one to take time out of our busy lives to remember. Since elementary school, I have been involved in Operation Goody Bag. OGB sends treats to say “thanks” to those who serve to keep us safe and free. Over 60,000 Goody Bags have been shipped. Because of our work, we became a member of America Supports You. When on their website, I noticed that they hold a Freedom Walk in DC to remember lives lost on 9/11. I decided to hold a Freedom Walk in Paramus. I approached the OGB director and school principal for approval. Then, I held meetings with the Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education, Mayor and Council, and County Freeholders to finalize approvals. I formed a committee and oversaw fundraising, advertising and donations. We raised over $7,000 to help defray costs. What motivated me the most is that the work of honoring is never complete. The Freedom Walk is aimed at honoring those touched by 9/11 . . . a mother or father who lost a child or a child who lost a parent; the First Responders who lost their lives or the ones who saved lives; soldiers who served to keep us free and the ones who are serving now. The most amazing thing I accomplished was actually having hundreds of people show up for the Freedom Walk. Over 450 people came to remember September 11th and honor our Veterans, past and present and renew our commitment to freedom. When I read the newspaper, sometimes I can get discouraged. Lots of negative articles are written about America, and I started to wonder how many people would actually care as much as I do, to take time and gather together to show support for our country’s value of freedom. With all the articles about how there were fewer events to remember September 11th planned for this year, I worried about how many people would actually care enough to attend my event. My committee members and I benefited greatly from our experiences. We learned how to speak and perform in front of adult groups, talk to the press and the boys actually learned how to “tie a tie”. I learned how to stay calm when nervous, to talk spontaneously on stage, to keep neat notes for meeting agendas, to carry a pen that works at all times, and to always carry a clipboard to keep my hands from fidgeting. Everyone who attended benefited in some way. World War II Veterans were amazed at the tributes and speeches in their honor. They loved the fact that we were all “little kids doing grownup stuff” taking time to remember what they had accomplished and to say thanks. Young children benefited by watching and experiencing their parents say thanks to local First Responders and Veterans, many times with a tear in their eyes. Families of 9/11 victims were emotional during the special tributes to their loved ones. They were amazed at how many townspeople still remembered after these last six years, that their loved one perished. I have already started working on next years Freedom Walk. I have set another goal for myself. Since I know that I am able to pull a Freedom Walk off in my town, my goal for next year is to see how many towns I can get to organize a Freedom Walk. You must be thinking how is he going to do this? Well, I was already thinking over the summer and I wrote a book, “20 steps to putting a Freedom Walk together.” My book just got published . I will be touring all the local schools and hopefully my story will inspire other children to have a Freedom Walk in there town. Maybe even those of you who read this application will be inspired to hold a Freedom Walk in your town.~~joey |rizzolo|13|7~~matt|harkin|12|7~~kaityn|garcia|12|6~~reagen|cronin|13|8~~chelsea|virga|12|6
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