Paramus Freedom Walk Returns To Remember 9/11

As the days of summer continue winding down, organizers of the sixth annual Paramus Freedom Walk are already preparing for a day of remembrance on Sep. 9. 

Paramus Freedom Walk is a walk to remember the lives lost on 9/11. For Joey Rizzolo, the founder and organizer who created the event when he was in sixth grade, the Freedom Walk is also a way to say "thank you" to veterans and local first responders. 

"One of the reasons it's called the Paramus Freedom Walk is because it’s about Paramus, our town. A place where I've grown up and live, like to so many other people," said Rizzolo.

Rizzolo thought of the community event when he was member of Operation Goody Bag, an organization that sends goody bags to the troops overseas. 

"That year, OGB was accepted into a group called ‘America Supports You’. I saw that ‘America Supports You’ did a Freedom Walk in Washington D.C., and I wanted to bring it to Paramus," Rizzolo said, adding he is still a member of OGB. 

Last year, Paramus Freedom Walk attracted hundreds of Paramus and area residents. 

Rizzolo believes Freedom Walk has been successful because "everyone in Paramus cares about what happened on 9/11".

"The Freedom Walk is a place where people from Paramus and all over can come to remember the 3,000 individuals that lost there lives on 9/11," Rizzolo explained.   

The event pays tribute to the seven Paramus residents who lost their lives on 9/11 including Jack L. D'Ambrosi Jr., Deborah Kaplan, Paul Laszcznski, Joseph M. Navis, Dominique Pandolfo, Thomas E. Sinton and Julie Lynne Zipper.

"Since I started the Freedom Walk, I've gotten to know some of the family member of the people who were lost," Rizzolo said. “I've learned about who these seven people were."

"They were moms, dads, fiancées, or someone's child,” Rizzolo said. “Some were very quiet, others very outgoing. One was a coach and each one a special person taken away from there families way too soon." 

Last year the Freedom Walk committee placed flowers by each one of the victim’s tree at the memorial on Spring Valley Road. This year the committee plans on repeating the ritual.

The event is organized by Rizzolo and a committee made up of middle school to college aged students.  

But the students are not alone in their efforts. The Paramus Library allows use of the Paramus Band Shell to kick off the Freedom Walk. The Library also promotes the event through flyers, many of which were handed out during the recent Terrific Tuesday concerts.

"The Mayor and Council are very supportive in anything we need," Rizzolo said. "And Sandi Gunderson always makes sure we have an ambulance on hand for the 'just in case'."   

Paramus Fire Department also chips in. Last year they hung the American Flag from two engine trucks and lined up in formation. 

"It was a very emotional moment walking by the flag and all the first responders last year," Rizzolo said. "I saw so many people with tears in there eyes. I'm hoping they will do it again this year."

The event starts with a small ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem. Participants then walk out of the library parking lot to Century Rd and Spring Valley Road.

They stop at the 9/11 Memorial on Spring Valley Road, place flowers by the memorial then proceed up Howland Avenue and back to the library for a complimentary barbeque with hamburgers, hot dogs, and refreshments courtesy of the Paramus Elks.

The Boys Scouts will be serving popcorn, and other local businesses sponsoring the event will offer give aways.   

Last year close to 1,000 people attended. Rizzolo hopes to get the same if not better attendance this year. 

"As long as people come to the Freedom Walk, whether its 1 or 1,000, I know people are not forgetting what happened on that horrible day," Rizzolo explained. That's the goal - to never forget."  

Paramus Freedom Walk will be Sept. 9 and starts at the Paramus Library Band Shell. Registration starts at 7:00pm with a walk to begin at dusk around 8:00pm.