As the nation prepares to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, city leaders across several communities in Texas are joining forces for the “Red, White, and Blue Freedom Walk.” The event, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m., serves to honor and remember those who perished on that tragic day in 2001, in New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Penn. Adopting a tone of unity and remembrance, officials from Lewisville, Highland Village, and Denton County will converge, American flags in hand, with their counterparts from Hickory Creek, Corinth, Lake Dallas, Shady Shores, and Denton.
The poignant moment of the walk is planned to occur at the Lewisville Lake pedestrian bridge. There, in a display of solemn respect, a "virtual handoff" will take place at sunset, symbolizing the continuity of memory and the enduring spirit of the community. According to the City of Lewisville's announcement, residents are encouraged to become a part of this tribute by carrying American, Texas, or U.S. military branch flags across the bridge.
In a gesture to avoid political divisiveness and to maintain the evening's dedicated focus on tribute, participants are kindly requested to refrain from bringing any political materials, including banners, signs, or apparel bearing political messages. This event is not only a remembrance of the lives lost during the attacks but also serves to honor the 5,461 service members who have fallen in the subsequent wars, as noted by the event organizers.
The community's involvement is integral to the spirit of the walk. Residents south of the bridge are expected to gather at Doubletree Ranch Park, while those from the north will meet at Oak Drive and the southbound I-35E service road, both groups setting off at the same time. The event is designed to bring both sides together in a symbolic gesture that seeks to visually and emotionally capture the essence of unity. Event organizers have planned for both groups to meet midway across the bridge to take a photo of the "virtual handoff" of the U.S. flag against the backdrop of the setting sun.
