Travis hosts events to remember 9/11 Published Sept. 17, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Amber Carter 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Travis Air Force Base, California, held the Firefighter Run for the Fallen and the Freedom Walk on Sept. 11 to memorialize 9/11. The Firefighter Run for the Fallen started at the fire station and included opening remarks by John Speakman, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, along with a flag ceremony and the ringing of the bell. "Any funds that were raised are earmarked for the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, an organization striving to reduce firefighter deaths and assist the families of the fallen heroes," said Staff Sgt. Charles Christian, 60th CES fire inspector. The ringing of the bell signifies the beginning and the end of the day for firefighters. It also announces the passing of a comrade. The bell was rung for the 343 firefighters who fell during the 9/11 attack and participants ran approximately 3.43 miles. The Freedom Walk had more than 1,000 participants including students, parents, faculty and volunteers from Travis and Scandia Elementary Schools. "The purpose of the walk was for the students to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001, celebrate Patriot Day and give the students an opportunity to honor and recognize their parent's military service in defense of the country," said Sylvia Crowder, school liaison officer. Participants met at the Airman and Family Readiness Center where they held a rally, read poems and listened to patriotic music from the USAF Band of the Golden West. The Travis Honor Guard performed a flag-folding ceremony and Col. Thomas Pauly, 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, thanked the students for the courage they display when their parents have to deploy. The Freedom Walk is held annually to honor the more than 3,000 Americans who died on 9/11.