Colonial Beach, VA: Aug 20, 2008
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…
After missing the team near where we live in Richmond, VA on Sunday, me, my wife Jenny and my daughter Elaina thanks to Triona, met up with the Run for the Fallen group this morning at their hotel in Kilmarnock, VA. I was allowed to first run a 5 mile leg starting at Burgess, VA with Jenny in our car and Triona in her truck putting out flags every mile in front of me. Each flag and a card with a fallen American military members picture, name and hometown were attached to a pole along the route. I’d stop every mile and read the name and really try to focus on the persons face before I ran the next mile. As I ran I’d repeat their name, age, branch of service, hometown and hobbies as a mantra in my mind and I’d see their face knowing each had served their nation in life and paid the ultimate sacrifice in death. Before the day ended for me and my family I’d ran a total of 15 miles. I tried to pay a mental tribute to each of the hero’s at each mile marker knowing they were fathers, sons, brothers, dad’s and part of the latest greatest generation. The folks making up the “Run for the Fallen” team are a group that reminds me of all that is great about this country. Joe, Triona, Erin, Markus and the other team members are connected by one warrior no longer with us on this earth, but really run, photograph, videotape and do all the other logistic tasks for the over 4,000 souls who have died protecting our freedom. It was an honor to be a small part of this and I pray for safe travels to the team as the run nears it’s conclusion and I thank God these folks represent all that is good in this country.
With Regards,
James (Jim) Wood
“AIRPOWER”
James, God Bless You. I too had the honor of meeting the Team,I spent 3 days with these wonderful people as they ran through Tennessee.
i want to tell u how proud we were to have u in our town. i want to wish u all good luck and god bless. u will b in our thoughts and prayers. the river u see here is the potomac . it goes to washington,dc. please if u r ever this way agan, we’d luv 2 see u . i’m glad i met such great people. thank u.—————–althea [al] woodard
Today you ran a mile for my brother, Taylor McDavid. (Spc. Robert T. McDavid III). Thank you. I can’t put into words how much it means to know that he is being remembered. This mile is such a great honor for him and our family. Taylor would have been very proud (and even a little embarrassed) of this memorial run.
i would like to take the time to say how truely blessed colonial beach was for having such wonderful people that are with this group.god has sent these runners to be angels for all our soldiers lost.what a wonderful thing your doing to honor our lost lives in iraq.i hope you will come visit us again in this little town of family.god bless each and everyone of you.we will keep you in our prayers,thoughts,and our hearts.good luck in everything you do.
Yesterday you ran a mile for my husband, SPC Orlando Perez who was KIA on February 24, 2008. My family and I have made the journey from Houston, TX in an effort to catch up with you and were unsuccessful. I believe we have missed you by a few hours but we did get to see Orlando’s marker and a couple of others and it has touched our hearts. My brother and I still ran the mile from Orlando’s marker to the next in honor of the memory of my dear husband, my hero. I’m sure it was no coincidence either that the area also stated it was the Purple Heart Trail. Well I just wanted to say, I have really appreciated this event you have put together and it has absolutely meant a lot to me! I hope to see you on the final day of the event now that we’re here in Arlington, VA. Good luck in the finish of this run and God Bless!
Yesterday you not only ran for my son, Spc Micheal “Pokey” Phillips, but wore a rubberband on your wrists to remember and honor him also. There are no words to express how much that small gesture means to this family. My son always wore his rubberband for luck. It was part of who he was. Thank you all so much for remembering and honoring all of these men and women. Your heart and souls go into this and we families know that.
Yesterday you ran for my brother, SSG Phillip Anderson (KIA 3-10-08). Thank you! It means so much to me and the other Gold Star Families out there! There are no words to express it.
Yesterday I was proud to be a volunteer at the last leg of this beautiful mission. I was humbled. We should all bow our heads and thank God for those that have made the sacrifice for us and for our country as well as for those that carry on their memory in this unique honor. The sight of the red and white carnations and tiny pebbles laid at the various headstones and the sound of the last notes of Taps drifting through the hushed crowd at Arlington cemetery is one I will carry with me the rest of my days.
You are awesome. We love you all and hope to see some of you soon. We were honored to be a part of your final day. 488 wonderful Americans showed up here in Canadian, TX on a hot, muggy Sunday afternoon and ran 1 mile for all of our fallen. We were able to have each of the fallen Texans represented by an individual carrying a flag with the service member’s name on it. You guys started it all. We hope we helped you finish it with the love, dignity and honor you desired for our fallen heros.
Mom H
I am the Gold Star Moma of Spc. Tyler R. Seideman KIA 8-22-07 Iraq. I just learned today of this wonderful memorial for our heroes. Thank You to all of you who take the time to remember our amazing men and women who loved us enough that they were willing to give themselves for us. We have been taught so many things by this sacrifice; Freedom is not Free and Good people will honor those who paid the price.