ST. LOUIS – Around 150 people joined the 23rd walking of the “March to the Arch.”
The 21-mile journey from Town and Country to the Gateway Arch began in 2002 by Bo Drochelman, who wanted to honor the men and women who died on 9/11. Drochelman was there once again for the 23rd straight year as the walk started at Clayton and Missouri Route 141.
A group of about 150 walkers made their way down Clayton Road before rounding Forest Park via Lindell Boulevard, eventually making their way onto Market Street to the Arch grounds.
One of the walkers was Stephanie Spaniol, a Fenton firefighter and paramedic. It was her eighth year participating.
“It kind of reminds us of the risk in our job,” she said.
Spaniol was wearing her 60 lbs. worth of firefighter gear in intervals throughout the walk. The walk not only gives her the opportunity to remember those lost, but also the active service members in our communities today.
“We really only typically see each other on calls, so to have the support from our fire districts that we are walking through and the police that keep us safe the whole time, it means a lot to us,” Spaniol explained Wednesday.
Before the walk, participants could attach remembrance cards of those who died in the World Trade Center buildings. Staff Sgt. Nikki Fulsom with the Missouri Army National Guard had four cards pinned to her chest as she walked through the county and city.
“This is the home of the free because of the brave,” Fulsom told FOX 2.
It was Fulsom’s third time making the 21-mile trek. She explained how important it is to remember those who we have lost.
“A soldier only dies when forgotten,” she said.
In all, the 21-mile journey took about eight hours.
