STEPS FOR FREEDOM
Saxum Organizes First OKC Freedom Walk
Thousands of Oklahomans walked in unison down the streets of Oklahoma City on the evening of Sept. 11, 2006, during the first ever Oklahoma City Freedom Walk. Inspired by the “America Supports You” Freedom Walk held in Washington D.C. last year, this event gave Oklahomans an opportunity to pay public tribute to lives lost in the terrorist acts. It also portrayed a commitment to freedom and honor of America’s military veterans, police officers and fire heroes.
“So many people came, and there was such an outpouring of patriotism at this event,” said Michael Carnuccio, Saxum director of public affairs and logistics coordinator for the event. “It was a very moving event. I hope this is the first of many Freedom Walks in Oklahoma City to come.”
Saxum coordinated all aspects of the event, from the 5:30 p.m. ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial grounds to the free T-shirts for participants to the promotional posters and media placements. Numerous stories about the event appeared in The Oklahoman and Journal Record as well as all local television outlets.
At the ceremony, Gov. Brad Henry and former Gov. Frank Keating—among others—spoke about Oklahoma’s personal experience with terrorism during the Oklahoma City bombing on April19, 1995. As the ceremony closed with 10-year-old Layken Urie singing God Bless America, four F-16s flew overhead and a large American flag unfurled down the side of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.
After a one-mile walk from the memorial to the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, participants enjoyed a special musical tribute by national country music recording artists The Great Divide and special guest Luke Stricklin. Stricklin is an Iraq War veteran who gained national attention, including appearances on The Today Show, CNN and Fox News, for his hit song “American by God's Amazing Grace,” that he first recorded using a $10 microphone on a laptop in Baghdad.
Devon Energy Corporation was the title sponsor. Other sponsors included Clear Channel Communications, The Oklahoman, The Chickasaw Nation, The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Saxum Strategic Communications, Box Talent, Express Personnel Services, Home Creations, and the Oklahoma RedHawks.
Co-chairs of the event included Frank and Cathy Keating, Larry and Polly Nichols, Renzi Stone (Saxum Strategic Communications), and Kari Watkins (Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum).
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