MUNSTER | Young patriot Tony Hamer commemorated the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by helping with an ear-splitting 21-round salute, then raising the American flag to full staff precisely at 7:06 p.m.

"I feel honored because I love to support my country, the troops and veterans," the 13-year-old Munster boy said as the sun set behind the clouds at Community Veterans Memorial Park.

"This is a very important job. It's an event that helps us remember how precious life and freedom are and what others have done to help us have our lives the way they are."

Hamer, who attends Wilbur Wright Middle School, is a member of the Sons of VFW, an official auxiliary unit of the VFW Munster Post 2697. His grandfather is Munster Commander Frank Darrington.

The Munster Post hosted a sunset ceremony Thursday as part of the nation's Freedom Walk activities. Tens of thousands of Americans in all 50 states had a wide range of local community events throughout the entire week.

Darrington assembled the park flags and prayed for those who lost their lives while honoring firefighters, police and soldiers.

"We cherish the memories of the thousands of innocent victims lost and extend our thoughts to their families," he said. "And we honor the heroic men and women who sacrificed their lives. We pray for the safety of our armed forces and ask God to watch over America."

Hamer, who hopes to attend West Point and join the U.S. Army, was only 6 when the Twin Towers fell, but he has vowed to do what he can to help his generation remember the lessons of that day.

"I woke up Sept. 11 and saw how worried my grandparents were," he said. "Eventually I learned what it was all about. I guess it's something our country has to overcome. It reminds us that freedom isn't free."