Reagan Library hosts Freedom Walk

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library together with MilitaryConnection.com will present the third annual Simi Valley Freedom Walk from 5 to 6 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 11 at the library's courtyard, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley.

The event will remember the victims of Sept. 11 and honor the troops overseas.

Before the program, the 1st Marine Division Band will play patriotic music at 4:15 p.m.

Program speakers include Col. James Seaton, commanding officer, Marine Corps Camp Pendleton; Army Sgt. Neil Duncan, who lost both of his legs in service; and Brad Burlingame, brother of Capt. Charles Burlingame III, pilot of American Airlines flight 77 when it was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon.

After a F-18 flyover, the walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. and end about 6 p.m. at Rancho Madera Community Park, 556 Lake Park Drive, Simi Valley.

At the park, light refreshments will be served and Air National Guard Band of the Southwest will play music.

The first 1,000 people who register for the walk will receive a free Freedom Walk T-shirt and an American flag.

To register, call (805) 522-2977 or go to militaryconnection.com and click on Simi Valley Freedom Walk.

From Sept. 1 through 30, in the library's main lobby, the Reagan Library will be collecting donations for U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Items must be unwrapped and in original packaging.

Requested items include miniature hygiene items, snacks that are not heat sensitive and will not melt in hot temperatures, individual packets of lemonade or Crystal Light for water bottles, CDs and DVDs, used video games, AA batteries, stationery, phone cards, and packets of trail mix, peanuts, gum, hard candy and beef jerky.