The runners are in the midst of unpacking vehicles, returning to hometowns, and one by one, punching the timecards back at work. Please be patient as we answer emails, respond to questions, write our thank yous, tally the miles from the 24th, and update pictures & website.
We cannot thank everyone enough who made this run possible. From the Buster Crutcher’s who opened up their doors to our runners, to the George Nelson & Cynthia Lager’s who came out to run with us, to the Jeannette Rosa’s who drove all the way from GA to run her son’s mile, we are still constantly amazed by the wonderful openness of your hearts; we have renewed faith in our America.
There is so much to say, and almost all of it teeters on the brink of language. We will never forget, our brave men & women, their sacrifice, is stamped upon our hearts forever. Because of your help, we were able to run this summer. Because of your help, we were able to bring communities and towns together. We were, together, able to honor and remember. We are in awe of you, and for that we say, “Thank You.”
We run tomorrow in honor and remembrance of all service members killed during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. There are runs being organized in over 35 states and 7 countries (4 continents).
Some have organized and run during the Run for the Fallen memorial run across America. Dallas High School in Dallas, PA had 187 runners out on August 14th in a run of remembrance. Separately, 183 Members of the US Air Forces, Navy, Marines, and coalition members, at an undisclosed location in Asia, ran a “Run for the Fallen 5k“.
While tomorrow marks the end of the cross country journey honoring our fallen servicemen and women, we will continue to run with our hearts, feet, and soul, and proudly carry the spirit of those we love.
Today began on the Potomac River outside the Day’s Inn. Before the start, we were met by Chris Simpson’s mother, Kate. The posters she and her fiance brought with pictures of Chris were absolutely amazing. The memory card Kate brought with her reads,
“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one,
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun.
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.”
Chris was 23 when he was killed.
We also ran through Fredericksburg, VA. A local runner, Stephanie, met up with Taylor, Nick, and I as we ran past George Washington’s childhood home.
Stephanie brought her two kids, and we (Steph, I, and her two children) ran one mile, dedicated to Travis Griffin, complete with stroller.
Tomorrow is our last day of this journey before Arlington. It has been truly wonderful out here and we are having trouble expressing the weight and power of our experience. Very simply, thank you.
We’ve made it to the Potomac River and Colonial Beach! Today we spent our first time inside a fire station, as we were received by the town council, mayor, police and fire dept., and local denizens.
What a warm welcome. The mayor presented Run for the Fallen with a Proclamation from the town, we were fed lunch at the fire station, and we have been put up at the Day’s Inn adjacent to the Potomac River. What a view!
Our team has grown in the last few days, and we have some old familiar faces back with the team. Ian Lawson, Shannon Cleary, Rowland Boateng, Lauren McIntyre, Nancy Glass, and Taylor Janes are all back for the last few days. We also have had a new addition to the team, Deadre Henderson, who joined us in Williamsburg, VA.
Last weekend, we ran through Charlottesville, Richmond, and Yorktown, VA. Jim and Marilyn Collins, proud parents of Sgt. Jim S. Collins Jr. (KIA 08.27.07), ran with us on Saturday, August 16. Below is a link of their photos and time spent with the team.
http://web.me.com/collins60/Site/Pictures.html
Tomorrow we head to Quantico. A 7am start and the amount of runners on the road should put us into Quantico late morning. We are honored and humbled to be out here…
Excerpt from the journal of Steve Bellona, who came out and ran with the team from Aug 3-8.
Aug. 7
“It has been a great trip. I have run about 15 miles, but today drove the U-Haul van with Triona Fritsch to document each flag and service member. It was just as rewarding as running miles. The first three days on the road were unbearably hot. We had mid-90’s each day, with humidity that you could cut with a knife. And yet, we got up each day, put on the shoes and ran the miles. We drank lots, and lots, and lots and lots of fluids. My first five miles on Monday were brutal, but on number five, I passed the State Farm Central Office and found the entire office of 100 standing on the side of the road cheering me on as I ran by. I had a light day of two miles on Tuesday and also placed flags and documented them with Triona. Wednesday, was an eight mile adventure for me, and shared the day with a gold star sister of Sgt. Shawn M. Dunkin. Tracy was with us the entire day. She ran/walked her brother’s mile to lead off the day, and then helped us in the middle with a few extra. On one of stops to wait for a runner to catch up, we had a mother and son stop, ask what we were doing, leave and then come back four miles later with water, food and gas cards. At that stop, we found a small puppy on the side of the road – no collar, no houses around – and Tracy, the gold star sister adopted it.
We stayed Wednesday night at the house of the parents whose daughter lost her husband, Sgt. Alex Van Aalten, in Afghanistan. He had volunteered to go into a mine field to save a Dutch soldier who had been trapped. Tonight, Kris and I had to catch up on other things, but the team is having dinner with a Gold Star Mother at her house. It has been like this every day. Incredible generosity and heartfelt gratitude have been the watchwords of this trip. Kris and I will have difficulty leaving these wonderful young men and women after we finish the day tomorrow.
Look forward to chatting about the adventure upon returning.”
-Steve Bellona