To commemorate the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the South County Chamber of Commerce and the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center will host the fourth annual Freedom River Walk Saturday, Sept. 8.

The program will begin at 9 a.m. with a ribbon cutting and official opening of the south segment of the Great Rivers Greenway in Jefferson Barracks near the Visitors’ Center. The roughly one-mile walk from Jefferson Barracks to the River City Casino will follow.

A ceremony of “Remembrance, Reflection, Recommitment and Respect” will begin at 10 a.m.

“The ceremony is a remembrance of the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, a reflection on the tragedy of that day, a recommitment to the ideals of freedom and a respect for first responders who risked their lives that day and the men and women in uniform, past and present, who protect our freedom,” Chamber board President Fred Baras stated in a news release.

Returning combat veterans will be able to register with Veterans Affairs for VA benefits. Keeping the theme of saluting first responders and veterans, the Missouri Air National Guard will honor airmen with the National Guard Bureau’s “Hometown Hero Award.” This award honors airmen and their loved ones in recognition of the sacrifices they made in service to their community and nation.

Several local businesses will have booths at the event, which open at 8 a.m. Awards will be presented to the best-decorated booth and to the most Patriotic Freedom River Walker.