Events are planned around the county in honor of 9/11 victims

Published 10:41 pm Wednesday, September 10, 2008

EVERETT — Some will lower their flags to mourn the loved ones lost in combat. Others will lower their heads in a moment of silence.

Throughout Snohomish County, a range of events is being held to remember the lives of those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Janice Buckley will put on her tennis shoes and walk.

Along with about 1,000 other people from across the state, Buckley will go on the Freedom Walk in downtown Everett today to show that Sept. 11 hasn’t been forgotten. Everyone is welcome.

Buckley runs the local chapter of Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that helps military families in need.

“It was a God-given passion. I’m one of the very fortunate people living my dream — serving these families,” she said.

Buckley helped organize the walk together with volunteers, several other organizations and local governments.

The event is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. at the Snohomish County Plaza in downtown Everett, Buckley said.

She said it’s the third year in a row that Freedom Walk, a national event, will take place in Washington state.

And for the third time, military and civilian families will join to renew their commitment to freedom, Buckley said.

“A walk is a great chance to connect and think about it. It’s somber but not depressing. It allows people to heal,” she said.

Susan Allen of Yelm said she will walk for the victims of Sept. 11 and all of the military families in America. She will also walk for her husband, who is serving in Iraq. “We are all Americans. There is always a bond, no matter how far away they are.”

The walk is not the only way people in Snohomish County will be remembering the victims of Sept. 11.

Firefighters at eight different stations of Snohomish County Fire District 1 will observe a moment of silence at 6:58 a.m.

Residents of Marysville will gather for an intimate ceremony at the Police and Firefighters Memorial outside the public library at 8:45 a.m.

In Arlington, the local chapter of the American Legion will hold a ceremony for about 300 veterans and others at 7 p.m.

Reporter Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452 or kyefimova@heraldnet.com.