Group marches 177 miles to honor 177 fallen service members

Bakersfield, Calif. (KERO) – Kern County remembers September 11, and today Americans across the country did the same. A group of supporters not only remembered but took action and marched from Shanksville, Pa. To Arlington National Cemetery within a week.

Naval officer Zeria Basquez was among hundreds of people who took part in the 9/11 commemorative relay.

“It’s 177 miles to commemorate the life of every woman we’ve lost,” Vazquez said.

The group traveled 177 miles to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 177 servicemen who have since died on the battlefield.

“I think it’s great because we have around 150 face-to-face attendees and around 800 virtual attendees,” says Vazquez.

Participants walked from the National Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., And ended their walk today at Arlington National Cemetery.

One of the honored members is Major Maria Victoria Sanchez of the late Bakersfield. She had a 24-year military career as a trauma nurse in Iraq and Afghanistan before losing the fight to colon cancer in 2015.

Vazquez said attending the relay was a very humble experience.

“In the services that we talk about all the time, you have to be prepared to put your life for your country, for your family, for your loved ones, and that is exactly what they are doing. That’s what I did. I can respect their sacrifice. ”

Vazquez said this year is the first year of the Memorial Relay and hopes it will be an annual event.