August 7: TN
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
God Bless you all for remembering and Honoring our service members killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I saw your team running between Oak Ridge and Clinton Tennessee last Friday. That evening WBIR, Channel 10 news ran a story on your remembrance of our Fallen Warriors. This morning I stopped by to see the Flag and marker for PFC. Daniel A Fuentes just outside Oak Ridge.
Thank you for raising our Country’s awareness of those who have given their life in service. I salute and appreciate all who have, who are and who will serve as members of our Nation’s military. God Bless you all.
Steve, Great post – and it was truly a pleasure speaking with you on Friday morning (8/8/08) in Oak Ridge. I’ve posted a blog post of my own on my very brief, and very moving, run with Jon and the team:
http://oz.deichman.net/2008/08/running-for-fallen.html
Semper Fidelis,
shane
12 August 08, It was an honor to met with John and the runners for Run for The Fallen in Christiansburg, VA. Their support of our fallen hero’s is awesome. Our son, SSG Henry W. Linck, was kia near Baghdad Iraq 07 Dec 06. They had honored him on 2 Aug 08 but we were unable to attend. Rick n I would like to personally thank all the runners for what they are doing. We hope to be there at ANC to welcome you into Arlington on 24 Aug 08. May God Bless each one of you! Saying Thank You just doesnt seem enough! Debi n Rick Linck
dear jon and everyone with you with you
thinking of you every day and praying you are all safe
we’ll see you in arlington
dear jon and everyone with you
we’re with you and thinking of you every day.
be safe and drink lots.
see you in arlington
godspeed!!!!
I am the mother of SSG Jason Arnette KIA 4/1/2007. I salute you. Thank you and God Bless each of you
Thank you so much for allowing me to run with all of you. And thank you again for running for all of our fallen service members. I’ve been checking the paper in that area where we ran to see if anyone lost this adorable puppy. She’s been here at the house for a week and has already fallen into the routine. She’s great with the kids, comes when she’s called, and has even learned “sit” and “sit up pretty.” I’ll be cheering you on come August 24th!
Dear guys and gals,
Thanks so much for running for our fallen. You ran on Aug. 10th (our son’s 22nd birthday) for our son, PFC Robert H. Dembowski Jr.
I thought of you all day. Wish I could have been there.
Francie Dembowski
Proud mom of one of many
Who gave ALL
I had heard just a blip on the news and then yesterday I saw the flags in my central Virginia rural location. How moving and touching seeing people honor our soldiers in this way, a visual reminder of who they were and of their sacrifice. My son will graduate from Army Basic Training on Aug 29 and I can tell you, seeing the flags and reading the cards, has been very emotional. May God Bless each and every one of you for what you’re doing and for the families of these heros.
Tracie,
Please post a picture of you & your family with your new puppy, would love to see it. Name her after your brother in some way…I think she’s a part of him, come back to you.
Best to you,
Carol