Welcome the marching airmen

Eighteen special tactics Airmen will be marching through Gulf Breeze and Navarre Wednesday during an 812-mile trek that began Oct. 16.

The Airmen are marching from Lackland Air Force Base in Texas through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida for the third anniversary of the Tim Davis Memorial March. The memorial march honors all 17 Special Operations pararescuemen and combat controllers who have been killed in action since 2001. Team members carry a 50-pound ruck sack and a commemorative baton engraved with a fallen special tactics Airman’s name.

People are encouraged to bring flags and signs and line U.S. Highway 98 from Hurlburt Field as far past Navarre as possible and to show support for the Airmen.

The march should be coming through Navarre about 10 a.m. A ceremony will be held at Hurlburt Field at 2 p.m. Check the website for updates on times at www.specialopswalk.com. Hope to see miles and miles of people with flags and signs. Troops will be meeting up at Helen back at 10 a.m. with t-shirts for sale.