MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station members gathered on the parade deck outside Building 1 here Saturday to participate in the fifth annual Freedom Walk.
Anyone who is old enough to remember the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, can tell you exactly what they were doing nine years ago.
For most, whether they were at work, school or at home eating breakfast, they were sitting in front of their television transfixed.
Marines, sailors, firefighters and civilians made their way out of bed by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning to honor the firefighters and police officers who served and the many U.S. citizens whose lives were lost that day.
"The Freedom Walk is the community coming out and showing their support," said Devin Johnston-Lee, station fire chief. "It's a remembrance of what happened, and because they always let the fire department play a large part, and part of the tribute is to the firefighters who lost their lives, we feel a sense of pride. We haven't forgotten the sacrifices that everybody has made, especially on a military facility where the sacrifices continue on a day-to-day basis."
As the colors were raised, everyone from the smallest child to the highest ranking official in attendance stood quietly and paid respects to the stars and stripes as it was raised up the mast.
"Let us remember all (who) served in the cause of freedom, on the battle lines and on the home front," said Col. James C. Stewart, station commanding officer. "Semper Fidelis. Let's walk."
Following a fire truck with speakers playing "Amazing Grace," the mass of freedom walkers filed through the station streets.
Service members, mothers, children and everyone in between made their way to the Marine Memorial Chapel.
As people walked into the chapel, an eerie silence went over the crowd.
As they sat in their seats, tears ran down the cheeks of many while they watched photos from Sept. 11 scroll over a large screen.
Lt. Col. Michael R. Coletta, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron commanding officer, was the guest speaker for the event.
During the memorial service, a bell was rung by a firefighter in the memory of the 347 firefighters whose lives were lost on Sept. 11.
"The bell is symbolic to the fire department," said Johnston-Lee. "In the olden days, before we had radios, we were toned out by bells. At the morning shift, it was a bell that signaled the start of our duty day. The bell is a symbol of the fire department, and I'm glad we're keeping that tradition."
As the memorial service came to an end, the congregation sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and headed out of the chapel quietly with somber faces.
"(The Freedom Walk) symbolizes closure," said Jeenice Coffeygibbs, a walker in the event. "It gives you a chance to safely remember somebody and remember the event without a fit of rage by yourself. It's always better to do it in a more constructive environment."
The event meant many different things to different people. For some people, it meant honoring those who lost their lives that day, and for some it meant remembering the duty they serve every day as firefighters.