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Community Corner

FreeWalkers Invite Public to Walk up to 22 Miles to Honor JFK

How do you best honor a man whose life changed a nation? The FreeWalkers, a social network of long distance walkers, think spending the day walking the nation’s Capitol, while contemplating his life, may be the best way to focus one's energy and thoughts. On Friday, November 22nd - 50 years to the date of this death - they will walk 22 miles from Theodore Roosevelt Island in Arlington then around the District. The event concludes at Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of President John F. Kennedy.

 

JFK loved sports and physical activity even though he suffered numerous physical ailments throughout his life. He encouraged our nation to be fit, long before fitness was fashionable. He spoke about the importance of fitness in a modern age when improvements in technology, transportation and communications began to make people passive and soft. In his words, "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."

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The objective of the JFK March is to create a moving community of people that honor the importance of public service and the ability to think and act boldly - qualities that JFK lived by. Ray Smith of Springfied, VA and Director of FreeWalkers-DC says, "Marchers will pass numerous examples of natural and man-made beauty that enlighten the human spirit. I've got a feeling, JFK would appreciate our unique way of honoring him."

 

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The JFK March will end with a 2:00 p.m. ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, as we bear witness to the eternal flame - a never-ending symbol of his legacy for the ages.

 

The march is free and open to everyone. While most marchers begin early at 6:30 a.m., participants can join in at any time, following the same route. The itinerary, map and other information can be found on the website http://jfkmarch.org. There’s also advice for those who would like to walk a shorter distance. For more information contact Ray Smith, Director, FreeWalkers-DC, 703-732-7724.

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