Aurora – Ashley Glover marched for her husband, determined that domestic political differences won’t obscure his service to his country.
Others walked for sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and acquaintances – for everyone serving in the U.S. military.
On a cloudy Saturday, more than 200 people took a 1-mile “Freedom Walk” down Alameda Avenue in Aurora to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and show their support for troops stationed around the world.
“I could care less about people’s political views,” said Glover, 25, whose husband, Matthew, is serving his second Army tour in Iraq. “But I’ll be darned if I’ll let what happened to those who served in Vietnam happen in my era. I will not let my husband go through that.”
Trailing behind a four-man mounted color guard, the marchers wore shirts proclaiming their ties to military service, carried photos of loved ones serving abroad and waved small American flags as passing motorists honked in support.
Similar walks, all part of a Department of Defense program to encourage support for troops and their families, took place in cities and towns throughout the country. TV coverage of many of the events was scheduled to be beamed to bases overseas.
The Aurora event, hosted by the nonprofit Beacon of Hope Outreach Center, culminated with music and food at booths in the Aurora Municipal Center parking lot. Although the turnout fell far short of the 3,000 marchers that organizer Leo Pacheco anticipated, sponsors already are in place to repeat the event next year, he said.
Like all but the youngest marchers, Glover recalled where she was five years ago when news of the Sept. 11 attacks and the fiery aftermath at New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon changed her life.
She was sitting with classmates at Red Rocks Community College, training to be a firefighter.
Particularly in light of the heroism and tragedy that defined New York firefighters, the experience “hit home a lot,” Glover said.
But her career path stalled soon afterward, when she met her husband and eventually followed him to postings in Fort Campbell, Ky., and then Fort Carson. Ten months ago, she gave birth to their son, Peyton.
Matthew Glover, an Army infantryman, is scheduled to return home in November – although the possibility of another dangerous deployment looms.
But once he comes home for good, Ashley Glover said, she wants to resume her firefighter training. The urge grows stronger this time of year.
“When Sept. 11 comes around, something in my heart tells me I’ve got to finish it,” said Glover, who drove from Thornton for Saturday’s event.
Army Staff Sgt. Paul Brondhaver, who nearly died in a 2004 roadside attack in Iraq, traveled from his Cincinnati home to make the walk despite lingering effects from 300 shrapnel wounds.
As one of the event’s guest speakers, he said he brought a message of hope for the marchers – and especially for troops: “Despite all the politics, all the bickering and arguing, America supports and loves you.”
He wore camouflage fatigues and a bracelet engraved with the name of his buddy Sam Bowen, who died next to him.
“Whether you wear this uniform, or a police or fire uniform, or you’re a mom or dad or teacher or doctor,” Brondhaver said, “it takes every one of us to make America what it should be.”
Staff writer Kevin Simpson can be reached at 303-954-1739 or ksimpson@denverpost.com.
