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Instead of cars, Barrington’s Metra north lot was filled with tents and military vehicles Saturday, along with hundreds of patriotic supporters.
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 They came for the third annual Freedom Fest, organized by We Do Care, a non-political group that supports and thanks active military troops and veterans.

A 40-foot flag flew suspended from the Barrington Fire Department’s 85-foot aerial tower, while Marine vehicles were parked on the perimeter and drew families to explore their military features.

Kevin Cleary of Barrington helped his young sons, Liam and Sean, climb into a Humvee and examine the Marines’ combat helmet.

“God bless you guys,” Cleary told the Marines who greeted families by the vehicles. “Thank you.”

That kind of sentiment underscored the entire event, which stretched from noon to 10 p.m.

A group of eighth-grade boys from Barrington Middle School-Station Campus were among the first to tape greetings to the troops in a video compiled throughout the day, as part of a partnership with USO Illinois.

“We just wanted to let them know they’re not forgotten,” said Danny Kerekes, 13, of Barrington.

“We wanted to tell them how brave they are and that we care,” added Matt Lee, 13, of Barrington.

Army Sgt. Maj. James Roth led supporters on a mid-afternoon, quarter-mile “Freedom Walk.” It was one of the first of 120 such walks organized in support of the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program, timed with anniversary of Sept. 11.

Walkers carried an American flag flown by Roth’s unit in Bagram, Afghanistan, both from their fighter aircraft and in the middle of their compound.

“That flag meant a lot to everyone,” Roth said. “Being in a foreign country, to be able to wake up and see the flag meant a lot.”

Live musical groups provided a mix of rock, Latin and patriotic music to the event. They built toward the evening’s main act, featuring Joe Cantafio of Inverness and the 101st Rock Division band.

With the performance, Cantafio kicked off a 50-base tour, where he will display a 30-foot banner signed Saturday by residents who expressed their support and thanks to the troops.

“This helps us complete one of our biggest goals,” said Event Chairman Dirk Beveridge, of Barrington. “By carrying this around to so many bases, they’re going to know Chicagoland supports them.”

Copyright © 2006. Chicago Daily Herald.