Sandy Creek Senior Caitlin Dillon Leads the Way in 2nd Annual Freedom Walk

PP Note: The efforts and passion of this Sandy Creek High School Senior are encouraging. Thank you Caitlin Dillon for sharing your passion for our patriots with our citizens of Fayette County!


By Brenda Smith

Special to the Fayette Front Page

Photo on left: Organizer Caitlin Dillon proudly leads local citizens who walked in the Freedom Walk.


Take a rising senior with passion and a vision, and the next thing you know there is an America Supports You Freedom Walk in Peachtree City on September 6th.

In an effort to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and to rejuvenate the spirit of American patriotism that immediately followed those attacks, parades were organized around the country. Caitlin teamed with Randy Gaddo, advisor and planner of Patriot Day, and they combined their two groups into one parade with one consistent theme - remember 9/11.

Approximately 130 people, including a group of World War II veterans, walked and/or rode in the parade which ended at the Commemorative Air Force hangar at Falcon Field for a Patriot Day Program. Awaiting the parade participants were over 200 supporters of the combined events, the band from Bennett's Mill Middle School, the Peachtree City Wind Ensemble and Music Alive. The featured speaker was Mrs. Rae Pressley-King, principal of Bennett's Mill Middle School who was a child of a military family and was herself a former Army helicopter pilot.

Actually, this is the 2nd walk that Caitlin has organized and she even plans to continue with preparations for a 3rd one while she prepares for college next summer.

For efforts, Caitlin received the National Patriotism Award from the National Museum of Patriotism which is located in Atlanta.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in or supported this worthwhile event and made it a success.

Veterans of the Greatest Generation are assisted by local youth in carrying the banner.

Photo credits: Brenda Smith

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Honor Flight Fayette Walks to Support American Freedoms

Honor Flight Fayette World War II veterans, board members, supporters and other veterans made the 1 mile walk/ride on Saturday, September 6th, in rememberance of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and to renew the spirit of American patriotism that immediately followed those attacks.

A program was held in the Commemorative Air Force Hangar at Falcon Field where the World War II veterans were recognized as the Greatest Generation and received a standing ovation. The 2nd Washington, D.C. trip for Honor Flight Fayette will take place October 8th with approximately 70 veterans taking the one day trip which is free of charge to them.

Honor Flight Fayette is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, staffed solely by volunteers, whose sole purpose is to raise funds to take the veterans to see their Memorial and receive recognition for their bravery and sacrifices. For more information about Honor Flight Fayette, or to make a donation, visit www..honorflightfayette.org or call 770-719-1024.

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Public Is Invited To Walk For Freedom Sept 6th

Public Is Invited To Walk For Freedom
Patriot Day and “America Supports You Freedom Walk” To Be Held September 6

Peachtree City is holding the 2nd annual “America Supports You Freedom Walk” along with Patriot Day on Sept. 6, 2008.

People can demonstrate their support for the men and women fighting for our freedom by participating in the one-mile walk, which will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the intersection of TDK and Dividend in Peachtree City. The public is encouraged to participate. The walk will end at Falcon field, where the Patriot Day celebration takes place. The end of the walk actually kicks off the Patriot Day event, which features live patriotic music, vintage military aircraft, vehicles and equipment, a special guest speaker and more.

Those interested in walking can register their name and how many will be attending by email at: Ptcfreedomwalk@yahoo.com.

By Presidential proclamation, Patriot Day is a day to reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, when more than 3,000 people were killed by terrorists in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

The “Freedom Walk” is an event, first started in 2005 by Pentagon employees to commemorate the people who were killed there, as a reminder of the continuing Global War on Terror and to renew commitment to freedom and the values of our country.

Last year 255 communities participated across the nation, and every state was represented along with 8 nations overseas. What began as a small gesture became a new national tradition.
“We would love for everyone to be a part of it!” said Freedom Walk coordinator Caitlin Dillon, a Sandy Creek High School senior. She organized the first Freedom Walk in Peachtree City last year after having participated in one the year before in another city.

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