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Challenge 22 organizer Kurt Gies, commander of American Legion Post 63, addressed the crowd of veterans and participants.
Daniel Theisen, left, was best friends with U.S. Army 1st Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon, who died Aug. 9 in a Ranger School training incident, and Evan Taber came from Fort Benning and wore Fitzgibbon's rucksack on the 2.2-mile walk.
Representatives from American Legion Post 347 in Lady Lake performed a flag-folding ceremony. Behind them is Anna Fabry, fiancée of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon, who died Aug. 9 in a training incident at Army Ranger School.
American Legion post commander Kurt Gies salutes the memorial flag before it is presented to Anna Fabry.
American Legion Post 63 Commander Kurt Gies presented a memorial flag to Anna Fabry, fiancée of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon, who died Aug. 9 in a training incident at U.S. Army Ranger School.
Entertainer Billy Flanigan shared the reasons behind each fold of the American flag.
The morning was filled with beautiful music prior to the 2.2-mile walk.
American Heritage Girls were in attendance.
A representative from American Legion Post 347 in Lady Lake played taps.
Leading the 2.2-mile walk were members of Windermere High School’s JROTC unit and U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, as well as 101-year-old World War II veteran Gilbert Waganheim, center.
Winter Garden Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Ken Moisan walked 2.2 miles in full firefighter gear.
Close to 600 people attended the Challenge 22 event, and several hundred participated in the 2.2-mile walk.
Members of Windermere High School’s JROTC unit and U.S. Naval Sea Cadets joined the 2.2-mile walk.
Members of Windermere High School’s JROTC unit and U.S. Naval Sea Cadets joined the 2.2-mile walk.
Patriot Guard Riders brought scaled-down versions of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and Global War on Terror Memorial Wall to the event.
American Legion Post 63 hosted its sixth Challenge 22 Walk and Picnic Saturday, Nov. 12, to raise money and awareness to help eliminate suicide among veterans with post-traumatic stress.
The event kicked off at Crooked Can in downtown Winter Garden with a traditional military ceremony and musical tributes to the armed forces. Peter O’Rourke, former U.S. secretary of the Veterans Administration and VA chief of staff, spoke, and the Patriot Guard Riders brought the scaled-down Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and Global War on Terror Memorial Wall.
Organizer Kurt Gies presented a memorial flag to Anna Fabry, fiancee of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon, the West Point graduate and Foundation Academy alum who died in a recent training incident. World War II veteran Gilbert Waganheim was recognized on his 101st birthday.
