Run for the Fallen

The terrain of the Ozarks greeted the team with the challenge of the winding roads and seemingly endless hills. However, at mile 2453, we were joined by the Holland family who we met with the night before, and helped the team pass the halfway point of the day. They joined us for 4 miles, of which Daniel’s brother, John, was held high the American flag, showing passing cars the red, white, and blue. Part of the team ended their section in Waynesville, MO, and were escorted into town by the local police. A few soldiers from Ft. Leonard Wood and townsfolk met the team in town, and we were given a tour of the Spur Name Tape factory were many of the military branches’ uniform patches and names tags are sewn. (see photo below). We also had a wonderful reception with free lattes and lunch at Caffe Italia, courtesy of the Kneeland family. The cozy setting, live music, and smell of coffee was a great break from the road. Be sure to stop for a mocha!  We ended our day with a tour of Ft. Leonard Wood with our liaison Sgt. 1st class Liversedge. Later in the tour, we were joined by Major Migliara and his family. We all enjoyed one another’s company and a few margarita’s over dinner, avoiding the rainstorm outside. 

As we ran into Bolivar, MO, we had a wonderful greeting by the town and the Beams of Light, an organization who supports our service members in Afghanistan and Iraq through letters, care packages, and donations. Once the team arrived into town, they treated us to the localpizza parlor, Breadeaux. One of their members, Evelyn, joined us for the first mile the next day to send us on our way.

After the run, we settled into our hotel, relaxed, and met up with John Holland and his family who were staying at the same hotel. John’s brother, Daniel, was killed May 18, 2006, and we all would run for his mile 2453 and memory the next day. One of the hotel workers, Rhonda, bought us all dinner, and we shared stories as we ate.

Our first mile (mile 2317) of day 39 began with a ceremony for Cpl. Nyle Yates III. Many of his family members joined us in reading the 58 names of the service members we were running for that day as well as placing his flag for the beginning of the run. We were greeted with light from above for the special moment.

The run from Parsons, KS to Lamar, MO ended with a wonderful greeting by the Crutcher Family. They invited us into their home for a night to rest our legs, enjoyed a home cooked meal (and breakfast!), and listen to wonderful music from Sydney Crutcher. Below is the Crutcher Family American flag on the side of their garage.  

Today we ran for 64 service members from outside Longton, KS through Independence, KS to Parsons, KS.In Parsons, we met up with coach Dave Greenough and the highschool cross-country team. We ran four miles through town and ended on the east side of Parsons on Main St. The Parsons Police did a fantastic job escorting us through town and we had a nice lunch at the Sirloin Stockade located at 10th and Main. Here’s the Run for the Fallen team with the Parsons High team.Posted yesterday on YouTube was footage of a run organized in conjunction with Run for the Fallen for 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary. The Cleary’s ran near Mike’s final home in Olivet Cemetery.