Walkers remember 9/11 Pentagon attack

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Washington say a mile-long march commemorating the event this weekend helped them heal.

The annual America Supports You Freedom Walk is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and traverses the mile between the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon, The Washington Post reported Monday.

The 10,000 marchers gathered near the spot where 184 people died when hijackers crashed an airliner into the Pentagon. The newspaper said the event brought out teenagers, college students and current and former military personnel and their families.

One Sept. 11 survivor, retired U.S. Air Force Col. John Leech, said the event helped him come to terms with his emotions.

"I just put it out of my mind," he told the Post. "When it would come on, I'd change the channel or turn the dial. It's just been hard up to now to have anything to do with 9/11."

Pentagon officials Thursday will unveil their first major permanent Sept. 11 memorial.