July 21: Parsons, KS
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.
Categories: The Run
Thanks to Jim Zaleski, Parsons Marketing/Tourism guy, who shot off some e-mails last week, even though he was out of the office, after he received my message the town would soon see the Team. He credits Rikki Hess at the Chamber of Commerce and Kari West who does publicity for the City of Parsons, for making today run smoothly and for extending a warm welcome.
Heartfelt thanks to another Heartland community for grasping the significance of today and every day the Team is running.
Tomorrow, twenty miles down the road to Lamar, you guys will be running a mile to honor another fallen hero from my home town. I e-mailed Michael Probst’s parents today to describe what the mile will be like in a cool Kansas early morning. They were very choked up after shedding a bucket of tears, but called to thank you all for this poignant gift. Roger will be running a mile on August 24, here in Irvine, CA, at the Gratitude and Honor Memorial in Northwood Park, thanks to Pam, Carol and Mary for organizing this event in tandem with the final run to Arlington National Cemetery.
Didn’t know any thing about your group until we saw you running with the American flag! Knew it had to be something good!
The 4 girls and I were glad to be able to see you run on your way from Parsons, KS to Missouri in the morning of July 22, 2008. We will look for the flags when we drive back to Bolivar, Mo tomorrow.
We are proud of the awareness you have raised for our military!!
What you are doing is a most precious gift to all of our fallen military. We lost our son Cpl. Richard A. Bennett in
May 2006, in Iraq. We plan to be on hand when you set a marker to honor him east of Camdenton, MO on Friday 7-25. Keep running, and God Bless!
Larry & Marilyn Bennett
Girard, KS
I am interested in setting up an interview to talk about your organization and the runs through Missouri. You can contact me at the 800 number, or if it is easier for me to call you please provide me with a phone number.
Thanks!
Aurora Meyer
Missourinet
505 Hobbs Road
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573.893.2829
800.669.7200
ameyer@missourinet.com
I had the pleasure of meeting up with one team north of Bolivar, MO. I was able to help the entire team as they came into Camdenton, MO. I was able to direct them to dining facilities (and there are not many), show the video team some good places to shoot, and locate and follow the last man (Jon) in, and give them directions to the hotel. This is a tremendous group of young people (yes, even the young lady whose 3 or 4 kids were making the run also). To exert this much strain on your body, in the heat and humidity, for our fallen soldiers is one of the most honorable things I have witnessed. Some of the team members change as the run continues. There is a small cadre of permanent members. Some of the camera crew even runs when there is a need. The teams left this morning (072508) heading south out of town. I was unable to go with them and in fact was not neded. The Camdenton Police escorted them to the city limits (not to run them out of town, but to ensure their safety). Wonderful group and I cannot remember all the names: Abby, Jon, Eric, Eric, John, Rebecca, Erin, David, Raff,(drat, I new I could not remember all 14). A family of a fallen soldier (LTC Daniel) was also going to run with them today, and I think another family of a fallen soldier was trailing in a car. I cannot seem to emphasize enough what a wonderful group. I am a RVN Vet and am glad to see our soldiers being treated properly, as soldiers should be treated, dead or alive. Thank you all, the participants and the people who donated money and equipment to make this all possible.
I MISS YOU PPL!!! come back soon? i have a myspace. you guys should make one for run for the fallen if you havent yet. [its more popular than facebook]. here’s mine: http://www.myspace.com/syduhsaurus
i put some pix of you guys up. gota have a myspace to look at mine.
hope you guys are doin good and arent having any allergic reactions to turkey bacon!
-syd <3
THANK YOU to all our veterans. I ride with the Patriot Guard Riders, and am looking forward to meeting up with the runners. You can bet I’ll be waving my flag!!
God bless you all for giving our soldiers the recognition they deserve.