RFTF: August 24, 2008
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.
Over 75 runners and walkers are ready to go Sunday morning from the trees dedicated to Michael Cleary on the Hamilton College campus. Have a great finish in VA. May the road rise up to meet you and the wind be at your backs.
Ran than this morning in Asheville and will run again this evening in Salt Lake. Great job everyone. Thank you JB.
I completed my 5 mile run this morning to honor our Illinios National Guard soldiers that have fallen. I will never forget the service they provided or the price they paid. Thank you to all involved with this inspiring event.
I would like to thank the folks that thought this up and believe that it is a great tribute to our fallen heros. Great job, sorry that the 10k was full, but between my wife and I we did 4 miles this morning. We do not know any of the fallen personally, but are truly thankful to all our brave men and women who protect our country.
From Team in Training Northern Virginia – Go Team
For my 5K run/Walk for the fallen
60 people ran/walked and 75 people showed up of the community of New Smyrna Beach Florida.
We ran for 180 soldiers. I do thank you guys for what you have done and i am sure everything went well for all of you today!!!!
I will be doing this next year also..Everytone including me is very excited
Sincerely,
Danielle Oldham
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Today I walked 2 miles in honor of all who have fallen but, especially for my son, my hero, USMC CPL Jeremy David Allbaugh. KIA 7/05/07 Al Qaim, Iraq. He is loved, missed and never forgotten. Thank you for all you have done. Semper Fi.
This morning, in a steady rain, 131 runners/walkers in N. Alabama joined me for our “Run for the Fallen”. Over 250 miles were run, each of them in honor of a different fallen warrior. Donations were collected and are going to the Wounded Warrior Project. Over $1600.00 was raised.
Thanks for all you have done across the nation. Thank you for allowing me to join you and run with you as you passed through. And thanks for the way you have honored our fallen. Your efforts, and the efforts of all the runners/walkers across the nation will be remembered and honored.
your journey has come to the last stop. thank u agan for comming to colonial beach,va.ive had alot of people who said they didnt know because they would have come out. thank u agan .job well done .u gave us something to think about but most of all, something to always remember. good luck and god bless–al woodard,colonial beach, va.
We just got through having our run for the fallen in honor of Sgt. Alex van Aalten .Alex’s family and friends honored him and the rest of our Tennesse fallen at the Cookeville High School track.We honored 98 fallen that are from Tennessee.Each one of the 98 was honored by someone walking a mile at least for them.It was a GREAT turn out.Our run had 165 people there and we ran/walked 516 MILES.Thanks to all that showed up.God Bless,Connie Stinson
Parents of Capt.Christopher J Kenny died in Iraq 3rd May 2004. to day we walked two miles for Christopher and all the fallen soldiers.We cannot thank you enough for honor our loved ones .We feel sure ” our angels ” have benn with you every step of the way .Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
About 20 people showed up in Albuquerque at USS Bullhead Park today and ran to honor New Mexico’s 35 fallen. Each soldier had at least one mile run in their honor. Thanks to those of you who started us on this, and thanks always to the soldiers and their families.
In case you missed it…..
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56972
Video, too.
The Final Run.
100 people gathered August 24th at Northwood Park Memorial in Irvine on a perfect summer late afternoon, to run and walk miles, followed by sharing experiences over a potluck picnic. The tally and video will be forthcoming. One family drove three hours to attend and all the Gold Star Families from Orange County and beyond who came will always hold the memory close to their hearts. The Patriot Guard turned out adding a powerful support to families of the fallen and to your incredible team of runners. Thank you is entirely inadequate. Your lives have been changed forever, but the families whom you are helping to heal by your vision and dedication will also be blessed.
Sunday Ft. Carson Colorado honored those lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring freedom with a 1 mile walk around one of our parks on post. Each soldier was represented by a family member or close friend and some by fellow soldiers. The turnout was tremendous..
Honored among those was my Husband SSG Chad Barrett who died in February of this year. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who participated and to the organizer of the Run for the fallen. What a wonderful way to commemorate those we have loved and lost!
On Aug. 24 in Jakarta, Indonesia myself, Wayne Camp (American) and Chris McFaul (British) ran a 10K for Run for the Fallen. I ran in memory of Michael Cleary H’00, Wayne Camp ran in memory of Luke Yepsen, and Chris ran for in memory of all the fallen soldiers as he has served in Iraq. It was a great day, I hoped to get more runners but 3 has always been a Significant number to me.
In total I ran/hiked 39 miles for run for the fallen, including 2 summits of volcanoes in Java. On July 20th I hiked 11.8 miles up/down Gunung Gede volcano, this was the same day that Run for the Fallen ran the mile for Michael Cleary. Wish I could have done some on U.S. soil but it was great to be a part of it none the less.
My congratulations and admiration to all those who participated in such a great cause, activating the memory of so many people. Thank you Jon B.
Esto Perpetua,
Jim Grant
Thank you all, Jon, Shauna, Renee and all the others. It was a privilege to join you Sunday for that last bit. Here is a link to some photos of the day that I took.
http://www.pickupthepen.com
Ed Kirkpatrick – Dickerson, Maryland
Proud Father of Sgt. Scott Lange Kirkpatrick
KIA 8-11-2007 Arab Jabour, Iraq, #3685
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, State of Maryland Patriot Medal, Missed terribly
The run in Pinckneyville, Il was a success!! Over 150 people attended. There was an opening ceremony honoring our fallen heroes. During that ceremony Gold star family members read the names of all of Illinois’ fallen heroes (OIF and OEF). Then the American Legion honored the fallen with a gun salute and Taps. Our goal was to walk, run or, bike a mile for each fallen hero from IL. We more than doubled that. We also raised over $450 in donations to the organizations listed on your website. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. Words can’t express our gratitude. You’ve have really helped us in our healing process.
Proud Gold Star Sister of PFC Wyatt D. Eisenhauer
At 10 AM on Sunday, the 24th of August, over 200 runners/walkers across Wisconsin participated in the “Run for the Fallen.” Over 165 of them ran together at the cemetery on our VA grounds in Milwaukee, where so many of our Fallen rest. Twenty of our Families of the Fallen from WI joined us. We were all honored to be part of this remembrance walk/run and hope to do such again next year…and the next…and the next.
Was visiting my sister in South Londonderry, Vt and knew the 24th of August was a significant date for the Run for the Fallen. Was going to run solo but on Saturday, however, while reading the Manchester Times, saw a brief article about the local running club organizing a run on Sunday morning in Arlington, VT just about 20 minutes from my sister’s home.
Rallied my son, sister, nephew and niece to join me. Made it to Arlington on a beautiful Vermont morning and ran with 60 or so folks of all ages. I managed 2 miles while the younger crew did a very health 4 miles. The beauty of the surroundings, the gorgeous day, and the reason for the run all added up to a very special time and place.
Never forget.
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.
We – Omaha Running Club members – along with 65 of our friends – met last Sunday and ran 13K or 13mile course in honor of 13 service men and women from greater Omaha area who have given their lives in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, respectively. With support from an American Legion Honor Guard, it was a beautiful memorial to the lives of our family members, friends, neighbors and heroes.