By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
The Moapa Valley Fire Department will be holding its annual 9/11 Memorial Walk On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 pm in downtown Overton. The event remembers the first responders who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
This memorial walk was established three years ago by Blake Empey, a local volunteer firefighter. Empey originally planned to do the Memorial Walk by himself as a training exercise. Then he had the idea to get the community involved. The idea caught on.
What started small grew into a huge outpouring of love and support as hundreds of local community members came together to walk the 2,977 steps, one for each of the lives lost that day.
“Now more than ever we need to look back and remember why we fight,” said Empey. “Why so many have given most or all for the country we live in today. My goal every year on this day is to bring remembrance to why we need to be a UNITED States of America.”
The event is scheduled to start in front of the Overton Fire Station #74, just north of the Moapa Valley Justice Court at 320 N Moapa Valley Blvd.
“Bring your walking shoes and American flags or whatever patriotic things you want to bring,” invited Empey.
There will be T-Shirts and other items to purchase which will benefit the Moapa Valley Fire District. To preorder “Never Forget” T-Shirts, message MVFD officials on social media (Facebook) or pay via Venmo to Alicia Neel at @leahxsh.
