Run for the Fallen

Army Cpl. John P. Sigsbee, a resident of Waterville, NY was a member of the 101st Airborne Division 32nd Cavalry Unit based in Fort Campbell, Ky. He was wounded by a roadside bomb in July 2006; yet was killed Jan. 16, 2008, during his second tour of duty. He was 21.

Exactly one year after John’s death, the Waterville U.S. Post Office was dedicated in honor of Cpl. Sigsbee. The bill to officially rename the post office was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, who attended the ceremony with other local officials, including Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente and District Attorney Scott McNamara.

His aunt Cindy Woods said Sigsbee was a determined man who accomplished a great deal in his short life.

“He knew exactly what he wanted to do, and he knew what he was willing to do to achieve it,” Woods said.

“John wasn’t just a friend in passing,” she said. “If you were lucky enough to call him your friend, you knew he was there for you through thick and thin.”

Information for this post was taken from the Utica Observer-Dispatch article.

At the end of the cross-country remembrance run, Run for the Fallen, in 2008 there was a call for individuals and communities alike to run/walk one mile in honor of a fallen service member. No one truly knew how our request would be answered. Emails were sent back and forth, a laundry list of participants and runs placed on an event page, individuals built and drove local support, and then the final day of the run came…
and the clarion call was answered.

On August 24, 2008 runners from around the world joined Run for the Fallen in remembering our fallen service members. Over 9,000 participants ran over 35,000 miles in remembrance of those fallen in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The multitude of meaningful events worldwide caused us to step back. We were in awe. There were so many individuals remembering service members in their own special way. There were so many events that brought towns, communities, and even families together. The final day of Run for the Fallen was not led by one person or one team, but by a myriad of individuals and communities scattered across the globe. The heart of remembrance ran deep.

This is why, this year, we are continuing that call. While we will not be running across America this summer, we still run in honor of service members killed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. On the weekend of August 22/23, 2009 we encourage anyone, wherever they are, to go out and run/walk one mile in remembrance of a fallen service member.

Our event page, Run for the Fallen 2009, contains state by state listings (and if need be, countries), of runs being organized by individuals in their own communities. Here, you can find out if a run is being organized near you. And, if you can’t find one and want to participate, make sure to let us know. Feel free to peruse the website and blog for information about organizing an event in your own community, and if you ever have any questions or need some more information, we would be happy to continue the discussion with you.

Remembrance isn’t just a one time thing. The act of remembrance is continued remembering, whether its a private or shared experience, and we encourage you to remember in own special way.