Police, Fire Company Escort 9/11 Memorial Walker Through Chester

CHESTER, NJ —The September 11 terrorist attacks almost two decades ago were very personal to Jesse Johnson-Brower, who defended Washington D.C. after the Pentagon was hit that morning.

Johnson-Brower, now a veteran who lives in West Michigan, served with the Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment that day, the first on the scene after the Pentagon was attacked.

He is now the CEO of LifeGR, a non-profit organization that empowers military, veterans and first responders with Post Traumatic Stress Growth & Reconstruction coaching, the SheWillStay program to help support the spouses who are facing their loved ones' Post Traumatic Stress and through “Adrenaline Therapy” activities.

To remember what happened on September 11, 2001 and in support of LifeGR, Johnson-Brower is walking over the next month through six states and a span of about 500 miles, between the three memorial locations that had been sites under attack that day.

See a Wood TV8 segment below for more about Johnson-Brower’s upcoming journey to all of the memorial sites:

According to statistics on the LifeGR website, on Sept. 11, 2001, there were 2,977 civilians who died on that day at all of the locations, along with 343 first responders.

“Since that day over 11,000 U.S. military and contractors have died in combat, and over 100,000 have been injured,” the LifeGR website states. “Over 450 first responders have died post 9/11/2001 due to 9/11 related cancers and illnesses.”

Johnson-Brower kicked off his walk from New York City’s World Trade Center Memorial, passing through Chester on Route 24 this past Sunday on his way to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville. Police cars from the Chester Police Department and trucks from the Chester Volunteer Fire Company both led and followed Johnson-Brower along his route. He also stopped to pose for a photo with members of both the police department and fire company.

After Johnson-Brower reaches Shanksville, Pennsylvania, he will head next to the Pentagon National Memorial in Washington, D.C.

For more information about donating to Johnson-Brower’s walk and LifeGR, click here.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.