VETERAN TRAINING FREEDOM TRAIL WALK

Veteran Training Veterans Day Freedom Trail Walk

HISTORY:

Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. However, most Americans confuse this holiday with Memorial Day, reports the Department of Veterans Affairs. What's more, some Americans don't know why we commemorate our Veterans on Nov.11. It's imperative that all Americans know the history of Veterans Day so that we can honor our former service members properly.

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

So what is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.

Please show your support to our nations unclaimed heroes by walking with us this Veterans day.

ABOUT US:

We are a group of Veterans who believe that leaving the service doesn't mean we have to stop helping our communities.

We help our fellow brothers and sisters in uniform and never forget our fellow veterans who returned home safe, injured or wounded. This event will raise money for disabled Veterans to become physically active again. Our goal is to open a needed facility that will help rehabilitate and develop the confidence necessary to lead a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle.

Please click on the link below to see what we have accomplished in the last year.

[CLICK HERE]

SPONSORS:

DONATE:

The Veteran Training group is able to continue its mission because of your support and generosity. By contributing below, you'll help ensure that our work continues. We welcome donations of all sizes and payment plans – whether it's a one-time gift, a monthly contribution or part of a matching gifts program.

Veteran Training has applied to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status for our State approved Non-Profit, Veterans In Service, thereby making all contributions tax deductible. We have been informed that they are still processing applications from June of this year:

http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=156733,00.html

We expect this to be completed this year, and your contribution can still be claimed as a charitable contribution. Until then we ask you make checks payable to Veterans In Service (the Veteran Training Non-Profit) where 100% will be donated back to benefit Disabled Veterans and Deployed Active Duty Military.

If you prefer an anonymous donation, or just wish to send direct, please forward donations to our financial institiution:

ROCKLAND TRUST/ Hanson Branch
c/o Veterans In Service
470 Liberty Street
Hanson, MA 02341

REGISTRATION:

Come and walk with us and bring your $35 entrance donation
($35 dollars is not mandatory to walk... only a request)
Bring your downloaded sponsorship sheet with you on the day of the walk
with the collected donations
Mail a donation to:

Veteran Training
125Church St, #90-324
Pembroke, MA 02359

(Please make checks payable to Veteran Training)

THE COURSE:

We will be walking the Historic Freedom Trail and its 3.1 mile course to the Bunker Hill Monument, stopping half way at the U.S.S. Constitution, and returning by the shorter 2.5 mile route to our original starting point.

We will be following the famous red (sometime white) brick line through Boston for
12 continuous hours.

This trail can be deceptively harder than it looks in certain locations with uneven roads, narrow and uneven cobble stones, and steep inclined roads. Those participating with any prosthetic limbs or those in need of additional terrain information can write us prior to walking at info@veterantraining.org. Whatever the situation we will offer a team effort to help you accomplish your goal of walking across Boston.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

10:30am-11:00am: Meet at Frog Pond
11:11am-11:11pm: Begin Freedom Trail Walk at Welcome Center
(147 Tremont Street, Boston Common)

FOR YOUR SAFETY:

We are beginning this walk as any march would begin….with the known fact that you will need to carry what you will need along the way. We ask that you dress appropriately for the weather and make sure that if you are walking you are in good health for this event. Anyone in need of assistance should bring a caregiver or responsible party before attempting.

A backpack, gloves and flashlight (if you will be walking with us after dark) are recommended due to certain areas being not as well-lit as others. Comfortable shoes are necessary with proper ankle support. There is only the initial bottled water supply issued at the starting point. Younger children should be accompanied by an adult with the understanding that they may not finish the entire loop without assistance. There are available restrooms along the route at multiple locations, but may not be immediately available in certain areas. If you plan on walking the entire 12 hour time frame a buddy system is always best…. Bring a friend.

You must be responsible for yourself when walking the streets of Boston. Look both ways when crossing the street and do not challenge oncoming traffic.

Walking participants who have a limitation of any kind should write us at info@veterantraining.org so that we can make some suggestions and give advice about the walk.

WEATHER INFO:

GETTING TO THE MARCH:

Directions

We will be meeting at the Frog Pond located behind the Boston Common Welcome Center (which you can also find on your map downloaded under our forms section below).

By Train

We call it the “T” but it stands for MBTA public transportation system. It’s safe, easy to use and a quick way to get around Boston. To reach the beginning of the Freedom Trail at the Boston Common Visitor Center, take the Red or Green Line to Park Street Station. Exit the station and the Visitor Information Center is 100 yards down the street. There are several T stops along the Freedom Trail.
Here’s a map of the T: http://www.mbta.com

By Car

Driving in Boston can be a challenge – streets are very narrow and crooked and we tend to have rules of the road that are unusual. It is America’s Walking City, after all. If you do drive, we suggest parking in the Boston Common underground garage. This garage is the most convenient to the Freedom Trail starting point and can found on Charles Street. There is also the garage at the Charlestown Navy Yard near the USS Constitution if you are planning on meeting your walkers half-way. Prices vary depending on the day and length of stay.

By Commuter Rail

If you are coming from a suburb of Boston, we recommend parking at a commuter rail stop and taking the train into North Station, Back Bay Station, or South Station. From there take the subway (MBTA affectionately called the “ T”) to Park Street Station, located on the red and green lines. The Boston Common Visitors Center, the official start to the Freedom Trail, is located at 148 Tremont Street. For information about commuter rails to and from the Freedom Trail, click here: http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/

By Commuter Boat

If you are coming from the South, you can travel into the city quickly by boat. Boats to Charlestown Navy Yard make round trips all day long departing from Lovejoy Wharf and Long Wharf, just steps off the Trail. Click here: http://www.mbta.com to get the latest information.

By Air

There are hundreds of direct, connecting flights, and shuttles from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington DC and beyond into Logan International Airport, which is less than 3 miles from downtown Boston and the Freedom Trail. Click here for airlines and transportation to and from Logan Airport: http://www.massport.com

PRINTABLE FORMS:

Veteran Training Boston Freedom Trail Map: JPG FORMAT | PDF FORMAT*
Sponsorship Sheet: MICROSOFT WORD (DOC) FORMAT | PDF FORMAT*
Please print and show your support:
VETERAN TRAINING FREEDOM TRAIL WALK FLYER

*To view the pdf you may need to download the latest free version of Acrobat Reader.

MEDIA INFO:

BECOME A SPONSOR:

As a Freedom walk sponsor you will help us fulfill our important mission. Without the continued support of the American public, we would be unable to provide the aid to help our Wounded, Deployed Active Duty Military and returning Disabled Veterans. There are many ways for individuals and corporations to partner with the Freedom Trail Walk in order to benefit the brave men and women who sacrifice and have suffered in defense of our nation.

The donations we receive help us sponsor care packages for the wounded, alleviate the financial burden on families, sponsor adaptive sports and recreation events, and provide a national voice to this newest generation of veterans.

We will list you as an official sponsor hot linking and offering your company logo to our Veteran Training, Freedom Trail Walk and upcoming events over the next year depending on your contribution.

Titanium: $2,500
1 year of your logo and link to your website on the Veteran Training Events page, with the option for your logo on T-Shirt given to all athletes and volunteers at our next event. Named as co-sponsor to the Fallen Soldiers scholarship in all Print and Radio Media.

Gold: $1,000
1 year of your logo and link to your website on the Veteran Training Events page, with the option for your logo on a T-Shirt given to all athletes and volunteers at our next event.

Silver: $500
6 Months of your logo and link to your website on the Veteran Training Events page.

Bronze: $250
3 Months of your logo and link to your website on the Veteran Training Events page.

PHOTO GALLERY: