Run for the Fallen

On the weekend of August 22/23, 2009, we encouraged anyone, wherever they were, to go out and run/walk one mile for a fallen service member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Similar to our Final Day event in 2008, we posted the runs here, in order!, by state and country. Please email contact [at] runforthefallen [dot] org with information about your run for 2010. Our goal is to again have all 50 states participate. Last year, there were over 9,000 participants in nine countries, including the US, running a combined total of almost 36,000 miles. For the 2009, 2nd annual Run for the Fallen, there were over 5,428 participants who ran/walked over 31,425 miles. Amazing~!

Help us to continue to honor and remember our service members, bringing people and communities together. Together, let us Run for the Fallen.
Download a runner’s bib that you can wear when you run for the fallen.

Click on a state below to view the runs near you.AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, WORLDWIDE

ALABAMA
*Ash Quakenbush – Homewood, AL – I will be running tomorrow 8/22/2009 for Cpl. Phillip J. Brodnick. I will be running 16 miles.
There is an organized run, although no specifically for this memorial, that anyone is open to attend. The run will take place at 6am on 8/22/2009 at the Trak Shak in downtown Homewood, Alabama. There will be several organized distances: 5 mile, 11 mile, 15 mile, and 20 mile runs. This is an organized group run, but attendees need to bring their own hydration.
The address for the meeting point of the run is:
2839 18th St S
Homewood, AL 35209
*Kathy Nevel – Decatur, AL – 3 miles in Decatur, AL, in memory of SSgt. Josh Rath

ALASKA

ARIZONA
*Glenn Gray – Tempe, AZ – I’ll be out at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ on Saturday morning at 7:00 AM to run a mile up to “A” mountain prior to attending the ASU football scrimmage at 8:00 AM. I’ll be at the SE corner of the stadium (outside) near the victory bell and will be wearing a white Pat Tillman jersey.
Not a major organized event — just me, a couple of Sharpies and some Run for the Fallen bibs if anyone wants to use them. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water. I’ll be running/walking/struggling up the mountain in memory of Pat (”PT 42″) and other fallen service members I’ve come to know through stories told to me by the family members they’ve left behind.
If you’re coming out to the scrimmage (or are looking to add 10-15 mins of cardio to your day) and want to honor Pat or any other fallen service member, I hope to see you Saturday morning.
*Jimenez Family – Leveen, AZ – Walking One Mile in Honor of their Nephew Sgt. David J. Almazan and all of our Fallen.
Location – Ceasar Chavez High School Track Field
Time – 0530
Contact Information: James Jimenez 626.523.8710 (mobile number)

ARKANSAS
*Jerry Bailey – Fayetteville, AR – Sat. Aug 22, 7am-12p. Starts at the old gate entrance to the VA medical center. See Facebook for more details.

CALIFORNIA
*Liz Krantz – Encinitas, CA – My husband and I gathered family members and friends and held our Walk/Run for the Fallen in 2008. This year we will do the same, and have expanded the numbers a little.
*Salina Jimenez – CA – Her family and a group of 25 friends will be running for her husband, SGT David J. Almazan as well as for other friends they have unfortunately lost.
Salina’s event info: Location: Whittier Narrows Park – S. El Monte, California
Time: 0700 hrs
Course: A One Mile Course has been designed for our Runners/Walkers enabling them to run as many miles as they can!
Contact Info: salina005 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Salina, after the event, wrote, “The Run for the Fallen event in El Monte, Califonia turned out great. We had the help of the LA COUNTY Fire Department; Station 90 – “MIGHTY 90″ come out and add miles to our grid – thanks guys!! Together we calculated 101.9 miles in Honor of all of our Fallen; including :
Sgt. David J. Almazan
Sgt. Steven Morin Jr.
Pfc. Chad Trimble
Spc. Mathew Creed
Spc. Ignacio Ramirez
Ssgt. Frank Gasper
Cpt. Shane Adcock
Pfc. Ivan Merlo
Spc. Christopher S. Honaker
Spc. Joseph A. Miracle
“As long as we live, they too will live …”
Gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!
Blessings, Salina Jimenez, Widow of Sgt. David J. Almazan
*Nancy Trimble – El Monte, CA – Nancy joined Salina on Saturday and writes, “I am the mother of fallen soldier PFC Chad Trimble, KIA 5/28/08, Afghanistan. My immediate family ran for your organization, Saturday, Aug. 22, 09. We joined Salina Jimenez, who organized our group at Whittier Narrows Park, El Monte, CA. Salina is going to turn our miles in to you but I’d also like to add to the list, the names, hometowns and mileage of other friends and family who ran in support of Chad and your organization. These names include:
Gail Sharp Covina, CA 3 miles Amy Meeks Covina, CA 3 miles
Elvia Sandoval Covina, CA 3 miles Anne Robertson Glendora, CA 3 miles
Robin Landis Rancho Cucumonga, CA 3 miles Jason Ceplan Covina, CA 3 miles
Sara Prosser San Diego, CA 3 miles Valerie Clairage Covina,CA 3 miles
Brenda Jackson Glendora, CA 3 miles David Morales Canby, OR 2 miles
Cheryl Barnhart Montgomery Valencia, CA 6 miles Ursula Diez Valencia, CA 6 miles
Paula Hansen and family Covina, CA 8 miles
*Whitney McIntyre Miller – San Diego, CA – John and Whitney Miller, Bruce and Kim McIntyre, Tony Sandoval, Martha Chavez (Bay Area), and Felisa Preskill (Bay Area) each walked a mile in memory of John’s brother Specialist Alex Miller, killed in Afghanistan 31 July 2009.
*Jennifer Cutler – Huntington Beach, CA – Jennifer Cutler, Huntington Beach, CA, USA ran 4 miles for Sgt Anthony Ewing of the US Army, Arizona killed OIF May 2007

COLORADO
*Devon Laughlin – Organizing a run in Northern Colorado. Event will take place Sunday, August 23, 9am at Spring Canyon Park in Fort Collins CO. Anyone interested in helping to organize or in becoming a participant, you may email Devon at forthefallen2009 [at] live [dot] com
“We logged 38.4 miles today in fort collins, co.” (08.23.09)
*Ann Edinger – Fort Carson, CO – Ann Edinger, Community Events-DFMWR at Fort Carson is planning their second annual Run for the Fallen. Last year over 1,500 attended. Pedro Martinez will be running at Fort Carson this year. He writes, “CW3 Robert C Hammett, was a good friend of mine on the cusp of retirement following this last deployment; I had known him for years. I had talked to him the night before he left us. I will be running to remember him and the impression he left on all of us in 3rd BDE 4th INF. I invite all who would like to remember him to join me in running at Fort Carson. I look forward to the opportunity.”

CONNECTICUT
*Jeremy Garber – Rockville, CT – August 22nd I’ll be walking approximately 7 miles at work in Rockville, CT (Emergency Department @ Rockville General Hospital).
August 23rd, I’ll be skating in a roller derby in Waterbury, CT. Every hit, stride, and point I score belongs to Jordan Haerter. Watch a news story on Haerter earning the Navy Cross.

DELAWARE

FLORIDA
*Sue Sawyer – Sebring, FL – Reorganizing a Run for the Fallen event held in Aug, 2008. In 2008, Sebring’s event had 57 participants who ran a total of 275 miles for all service members killed from Florida. Check out her Run for the Fallen: FL Myspace page. Learn more about Sgt. Marcus Mathes and other Florida service members.
*Kym Sardinas – Tampa, FL – Organizing a 5k run in Tampa. Last year Kym organized a Run for the Fallen final day event and had over 250 runners run/walk at the local Veteran’s Park, including members of SENTCOM and SOCOM from MacDill Air Force Base. Learn more about the Tampa 2008 event. This year, Kym will help organize a 5k and a 1 mile run. This year’s goal is 500 participants.
*Danielle Oldham – New Smyrna Beach, FL – Danielle is organizing the 2nd Annual Run For The Fallen in New Smyrna Beach on October 24, 2009. She will also be running a mile for a fallen soldier on August 24th.
*Kathie Johnson – St Cloud, FL – Organizing a 2 mile run and a 1 & 2 mile walk on Saturday, August 22 @ the Lakefront and New York Ave. If you are interested in joining us, you can contact Kathie at ksjfl [at] aol [dot] com
Post event, Kathie writes, “The Run For The Fallen Event in St. Cloud, Fl was amazing. On Saturday August 22 at 8 AM, 77 participants turned out for the 2 mile run/walk event. After the National Anthem and benediction, a group of vets carrying a large American flag lead the group. We were honored to have the Conde family walk with us in remembrance of their son Kenneth Conde, Jr of Orlando, FL who was KIA 2006. Several runners came out hours earlier to run extra miles bringing the total to 289.6 miles by 9 AM. Over the course of the weekend, several members of the St Cloud Pavement Pounders, who were unable to attend the run/walk, dedicated their miles, bringing the final total up to 434.44 Miles.”
*Chris Marathon – FL – Ran 11 miles today and 6 yesterday in memory of FL service personnel. (08.23.09)

GEORGIA
*L.C. – Kings Bay, GA – Donating miles from 14 June 2009 to 23 August 2009 on behalf of OIF/OEF troops. Donation forms are available at the Naval base gym or by emailing kbrunforthefallen [at] gmail [dot] com if interested. Today, 21 August 2009 we had two unexpected memorial runs to add to our total. (424 participants, and 1,318 miles) to add to the over 14,000 that have currently been donated.
*Aimee – Atlanta, GA – 3 miles for Army SSG William D Vile

HAWAII

IDAHO

ILLINOIS
*Joe Lemens – IL National Guard – Organizing a run for 2009. More information to follow.
*The Eisenhauers – Pinckneyville, IL – Organizing a 2nd annual Run for the Fallen, IL. Download event information sheet. Event will be on Aug. 23rd at 4pm at the Pinckneyville City Park.
*Trimble family – Wheaton, IL – Chad’s cousins family from Wheaton,IL, ran a total of 18.. …Kevin, Karen, Katie, Meaghan, Matt and Abbie Brennan all ran 3 each.

INDIANA
*Leigh Hayden – South Bend – Running in honor of Pfc. Jimmy Arnold.

IOWA
Rob Dobek – Urbandale, IA – I will once again be running for SGT Daniel Sesker who died 6 April 2006 while serving with C Troop 1-113th Cavalry in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I will be running in Urbandale Iowa on Saturday the 22nd at 10am along the Green Belt trail system starting at the Urbandale Public Library.

KANSAS

KENTUCKY
*Leslie Burks, Wendy Heremling, Darlene Castillo & Carolyn Osteen – Fort Campbell, KY – 2nd annual RFTF run/event on Fort Campbell, Ky for Aug 30th at 0700 Division Headquarters (bldg 2700); One, Five and Ten mile routes. Please contact rftf-ftcky [at] live [dot] com, we will contact you back. (the weekend of the 23/24 is a Post wide DONSA, postponing our event one weekend). 1st annual RFTF @ FTCKY had over 800 participants & over 3,000 miles.
*Jonathan & Joshua Koshy – Lexington, KY – Run on Sun., August 30 @ 3pm. old Kroger parking lot in Beaumont, Lexington, KY 40513
contact: Jonathan &/or Joshua Koshy
kc8585gk [at] yahoo [dot] com (w/RFTF in subject line)
*Bishop family – Louisville, KY – All 5 of us in the family will walk on 08/30/09 for SFC Jason Bishop.

LOUISIANA

MAINE
*John Mixon – Run for the Fallen, Maine – Organizing a run similar to 2008, running consecutively one mile for each service member killed who is from Maine. The event will be held on August 30th and followed by a Lobster Bake on the grounds of the Portland Head Lighthouse at Fort Williams Park. You may find out more at: www.runforthefallenmaine.org, or you may contact John Mixon directly at jmixon [at] maine.rr [dot] com

MARYLAND
*Chris Turner – Brunswick, MD – Chris, of Frederick, MD, will be running at the C&O canal in Brunswick, MD at 7:30 a.m.on Saturday, August, 22. Chris will be running in memory of Marine Staff Sergeant Daniel Hansen who was killed in Afghanistan a few months ago while trying to disarm an IED.

MASSACHUSETTS
*Matt Javitch – Boston, MA – There will be a run in Boston at 1:00pm Saturday, August 22.Please meet at the grey stone statue of Arthur Feidler’s head near the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston. We’ll be heading to The Hill Tavern on Cambridge St. immediately following the run for food and refreshments. Email BostonRFTF [at] gmail [dot] com with any questions.
*Polly Papsadore – Yarmouth, MA – 2nd Annual Cape Cod Run for the Fallen
6 Mile Memorial Run (Download media release)
Sunday, August 23, 2009 10:00am Rain or Shine
Run Start/Finish: Skipper Restaurant
152 South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth, MA

6 Mile Memorial Run will honor the 6 fallen service members from Cape Cod who have served our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan:

United States Marine CPL Nicholas G. Xiarhos Yarmouth
United States Army SGT Mark R. Vecchione Eastham
United States Army SGT Alexander H. Fuller Centerville
United States Army SSGT Alicia A. Birchett Mashpee
United States Marine PFC Daniel A. C. McGuire Mashpee
United States Army PFC Paul E. Conlon Mashpee

Suggested donation of $10 for runners/walkers to support the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund. This is not a competitive race. A 3 mile route will be available for walkers. For more information, please contact Kevin Lennon, Yarmouth Police Relief Association at 508-294-3175.
Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions.
Polly Papsadore; Email: polly_papsadore [at] comcast [dot] net

*Nina Sharma West – Dalton, MA – a group of about 15 of us will be running a 5K in Dalton, MA (In the Central Berkshires) in honor of 1st Lieutenant Michael J. Cleary on Saturday, August 22, 2009. The run will start at 8:30 AM at the CRA on Main Street. Contact ninaswest [at] gmail [dot] com for more info.

MICHIGAN
*Jody Bergeon – Escanaba, MI – On August 23, 2009, I am having a small walk/run to honor our 10 Upper Peninsula Fallen Soldiers, I have marked out a 10 mile course around Escanaba, Michigan. If you live near my home town and would like to participate please bring a flag, a bottle of water and meet in the Escanaba Ludington Park at 8:30am and run will start at 9am. You may email me at mojoes49829_99 [at] yahoo [dot] com.

I run in memory of Cpl. Joseph P. Micks, Navy Po2 Joseph C. Schwedler, Army Reserve SSG. Stephen Hattamer, Marine Cpl. Nicholas Cherava, Army Spc. David A. Wilkey, Army SSG. Paul J. Johnson, Army SGT. Jeremy E. DePottey, National Guard SFC. James D. Priestap, Army SSG. Thomas W. Christensen, Army Spc. Brandon L. Stout.

MINNESOTA
*Maribeth Romsio – Minneapolis, MN – I plan to run around Lake Harriet (3 miles) in Minneapolis on Saturday 8/23 to honor my friend Jeff’s good friend Jason George.

MISSISSIPPI

MISSOURI
*Nick Riordan will be organizing another run in conjunction with the Run for the Fallen Organization’s 2009 Run. Last year, approximately 30 participants gathered at St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis, MO to run one mile and honor fallen soldiers, including fallen soldier Lt. Daniel P. Riordan (Vianney alum). On August 23, 2009, “We had approximately 50 participants join us in remembering all of our fallen heroes, especially Mikey and Dan. We raised funds for my brother’s scholarship, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Film For the Fallen. I hope your message continues to spread and continues to help everyone remember the sacrifice too many have made.”
*Ian Lawson – Ft. Leonard Wood, MO – I ran a six miler yesterday at Fort Leonard Wood in honor of 1LT Mikey Cleary and his fellow fallen Sappers. After returning home to Seattle late last night, I put in another three miles today in honor of Major Steven Hutchison (Iraq), 1SG Jose San Nicolas Crisostomo (Afghanistan), and 1SG Merideth Howard (Afghanistan). Hooah!

MONTANA

NEBRASKA
*Rich Cecetka – Ord, Nebraska – Rich will be organizing another Run for the Fallen event this August. Last year, Rich had a small gathering on the local bike/hike trail in Ord. There was an information booth, and Rich talked to everyone who happened to be on the trail that Sunday afternoon from noon to 6pm. He asked them to “pledge” their miles, take the time to think about our members of the armed forces, and especially honor those that have fallen while in the service of our country. If anyone wants to contact Rich, they can send him an e-mail to rcecetka [at] charter [dot] net

NEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY
*Bubba Beason – Cape May, NJ – Holmdel, NJ – August 22 and 23, twenty-four runners will run one mile for each service member from NJ who has fallen. For more, please visit njrunforthefallen.org/
*Carrie VanHoeven – NJ – I ran 2 miles in honor of my cousin Lance Cpl. Jeremy S. Lasher and my children/husband walked 1 mile. Very nice turn out for the event.

NEW MEXICO
*Hannah Monsimer – Las Cruces, NM – Hannah Monsimer and Becky Baltensperger of Las Cruces, New Mexico, each logged 7.8 miles on Sunday, August 23, 2009, in memory of CPL Christopher John-Lee “C.J.” West – #3946. He was a combat medic and paratrooper killed-in-action in Iraq on February 4, 2008. Hannah is C.J.’s maternal aunt and Becky is his cousin. May God bless our troops, their families, and our beautiful country!

NEW YORK
*Kate McLaughlin organizing an event in Syracuse for Spc. Chris Simpson.
*Jeannine Olney – Rome, NY – will be organizing her second annual Run for the Fallen in Rome, NY in honor of the local servicemen who have fallen. It will be held at Griffiss Park by the B-52 as it was last year. People interested in running/walking start time is 9 a.m. at the B-52 on Perimeter Rd.
*Carrie VanHoeven – Will be running in memory of Lance Cpl. Jeremy S. Lasher. My children will be walking in memory of him as well at Griffis Air Force Base in Rome NY.
*Hamilton College – Clinton, NY – Sunday August 23, 2009, 9:00 a.m.
Meet at the Michael J. Cleary ‘03 Tree Area adjacent to Campus Road side of the Siuda House (Office of Admission and Financial Aid) Do note let pace or distance be a concern. Some folks will run, while others walk. The run/walk will be the length of the campus.
*Rachel Dee – Eastport, NY – Ran 6 miles today in Eastport, N.Y. in honor of Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter, USMC. never forget………
*Michael Dee – Eastport, NY – My boys and i (3 and 4 years old in the bob stroller) ran 4 miles in Eastport, N.Y. in honor of Lt. Colonel Kim Orlando, US Army MP.
*Dee Westfall – Geneva, NY – I printed the running bib, and decided to run alone, one mile for Gunnery Sgt. Shawn A. Lane, a classmate from high school. His life was taken in Iraq in 2007. And then I dedicated three miles to all of NY state’s fallen troops. I ran four miles total.

NORTH CAROLINA
*Kathy Moore – NC – Organized a run in 2008 honoring all those from North Carolina (117) that had fallen in OIF and OEF. Kathy will be holding their run on May 23, 2009 at Ayden-Grifton High School, In Ayden, NC. This run will not only honor those who have fallen, but will raise funds and donations for Give2thetroops. The organization sends care packages our men and women deployed overseas.If you would like more information you can contact Kathy at kmkathy1957 [at] aol [dot] com.Kathy Moore, Gold Star Mother of CPL Ryan Russell

NORTH DAKOTA

OHIO
*Becky Thwaits – Celina, OH – Had 12 runners in Celina, Ohio again this year. Please contact Becky via email at bect08 [at] hotmail [dot] com if interested about next year.

OKLAHOMA

OREGON
*Linda Gibson – Eugene, OR – Run For The Fallen 2009 Eugene will be a 10K and take place on August 15, 2009, at the Ruth Bascom Running Trail in Eugene, Oregon. Sign in will be at the Foot Bridge at Valley River Center and will run the North and South running paths. Check in at 8:15 a.m. The run will begin at 9:00 a.m. [Sgt Brennan Gibson 12-27-1979 - 12-10-2006 Iraqi Freedom]
*The Moore Family – Douglas County – The Moore family will run a mile for each of the 5 fallen from their county: Douglas County, Oregon. Garry L Moore – proud Gold Star father of Cpl James L Moore, USMC kia OIF on January 26, 2005
*Mike Brennan – OR – I didn’t run today, but I biked 32 miles and would like to honor the memory of those soldiers from Oregon – I did run 17 miles since last Saturday.

PENNSYLVANIA
*Anj Wolfe will be organizing a walk in Lebanon, PA again this year. It will be a small group walking 10 miles for fallen PFC Bradley G. Kritzer. Anj reports from the 22nd, “Today we walked in honor of PFC Bradley Kritzer. Anj Wolfe walked 10 miles. Paige Wolfe, Patricia Stone and Zena Stone all walked 5 miles for a total of 25 miles. Brad was with us every step of the way! Can’t wait to do it again next year.”
*Mandy – Pittsburgh/Philly – Interested in helping organize a run in the Pittsburgh/Philly area. Please contact Mandyk_cc [at] hotmail [dot] comSA David A Wieger Nov. 1 2007
*Edna Valdepenas – Philadelphia, PA – I will run 3 miles on Saturday and again on Sunday to remember LCpl Eric Valdepenas, Cpl Jared Shoemaker, and HM Chris Walsh – 3rd anniversary (OIF 4Sept2006).
Edna Valdepenas, Gold Star sister of LCpl Eric Valdepenas
*Heather Kritzer – Ephrata, PA – Sabrina Derr, Morgan Mayfield, Maddi Huggins, and I all walked 10 miles each giving a total of 40 miles in remembrance of my cousin PFC Bradley Kritzer who holds a special place in my heart.

RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA
*Sean P. Lawler – Charleston, SC – Thank you to all of you who are giving your time to those men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. I would like to volunteer myself and, roughly, 25-50 members of the USCGC GALLATIN to make a run in Charleston SC across the Cooper River Bridge. We will represent those from SC who have fallen and DC3 Nathan Bruckenthal, USCG.Thank you.

SOUTH DAKOTA

TENNESSEE
*Forrest Wise – Hendersonville, TN – Aug 22, 2009 Hendersonville Running Club, Hendersonville, TN.The run will start at Publix parking lot on Gallatin Rd in Hendersonville, TN after a short service at 7 am. Our Mayor, Scott Foster, will be speaking. Currently, we plan to run 7 or 8 miles, stopping at each mile marker to honor one of our fallen with a rose. Some of the family members of the fallen will attend, and possibly the VFW members and high school ROTC will participate. Another update will be given in early August. Thank you, Forrest Wise (Hendersonville Running Club)This is the list of fallen soldiers for whom we are running for:Patrick R. Nixon, Marine Corporal, Gallatin, TNTyler R. Overstreet, Marine Lance Corporal, Gallatin, TNJoey D. Link, Air Force Tech. Sgt., Portland, TNBrock A. Beery, Army Staff Sgt. White House, TNJames W. Cawley, Marine Staff Sgt., Roy, UTJeffrey E. Bohr, Marine Gunnery Sgt., Ossian, IAJoshua H. Reeves, Army Spc., Watkinsville, GA

TEXAS
*Nancy Glass and Lauren McIntyre – Will definitely sponsor a Run for the Fallen, Texas to honor all fallen heroes from Texas. Their Run will also raise funds for OPERATION HONOR OUR HEROES, which was established to meet the unmet needs of our wounded veterans and their families. The run is May 17-25, 2009. Please visit their website to get involved.
*Melinda Merillat & Steffani Erickson – Houston, TX – Will organize a run in the North Houston area, especially in honor of Cpl. John R. Stalvey, USMC Sniper, KIA 10/3/05Date: August 22nd, 2009Time: check in will start @ 7 30 am — a short ceremony will be held at 8:00 followed by the runLocation: College Park High School – The Woodlands, TexasWebsite: www.HoustonRunForTheFallen.netE-Mail: HoustonRFTF [at] gmail [dot] com
*Petriece Culberson – Dallas, TX – I will be joined by family, friends, and co-workers to run/walk/bike 2.5 miles in honor of the Fallen on the morning of 22 Aug. I’m looking into White Rock Lake begining at 0800. More info to follow this week.
*Amy Thompson – Fort Bliss, TX – Our Battalion will be holding a walk/run here at Fort Bliss. Our battalion is currently deployed & we have lost one of our Soldiers since our Battalion left in May & we will be walking our first mile as a battalion in memory of SGT Joshua Soto. We have invited our sister battalions in our brigade, & our fellow Armor battalion from another brigade to come join us. Visit our Facebook page where we will post pictures of our event.
*Cindy Cunningham – Dallas, TX – I have already run 16 miles this week and will run the Hottest Half Marathon in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, August 23, in honor of my son, 1st Lt. Timothy Cunningham, kia April 23, 2008. I’m also honoring his brother, Capt. John D. Cunningham, currently serving at Ft. Leonard Wood after 3 deployments to Iraq. JD and Tim, you’re my heroes. Tim, I’m still running for you and for our little Abby – your precious angel. Love you both. Thanks to the organizers for giving me a way to run for Tim.

UTAH
*Josiah Griffin – Salt Lake City, UT – Josiah is an Army Captain on active duty and lives in Salt Lake City. He writes, “I will be running 5 miles and/or climbing a Colorado 14er on the Run for the Fallen weekend in honor of Soldiers my unit lost in Iraq.”
View pictures from Josiah’s run. (must log in to Facebook).

VERMONT
*Lynn Grieger – Arlington, VT – Lynn and the Batten Kill Valley Runners will be organizing another event similar to the one they held in 2008…. Here’s a summary of what they did this year…
“The Batten Kill Valley Running club sponsored their second annual Run/Walk for the Fallen on Sunday, August 23rd as part of the nationwide effort to remember the soldiers killed in the Middle East . In 2008 over 9000 people participated in this national event, running almost 36,000 miles. This year, BKVR hosted 37 people from 11 towns and three states in our West Arlington event, running or walking a total of 153 miles. Military veterans, current military, families of those in the military, and people who simply wanted to show their respect and support ran and walked on a humid and rainy morning. William Brown started the event by playing the Star Spangled Banner from his patriotic truck. One vet remarked that the conditions today reminded him of his time on Paris Island , and that he was thinking of all the Marines currently going through basic training there now. A mother of a soldier currently stationed in Afghanistan said the weather wouldn’t stop her from running today, because her daughter is dealing with far worse conditions. BKVR thanks everyone who participated in today’s community event, and especially Vermont Bagel Works and Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts who provided refreshments.”

VIRGINIA
*Amy Heydman – Arlington, VA – Organizing a run in the DC and Northern VA area that ended in Arlington National Cemetery at Lot # 60 Saturday, August 22nd, 2009. The Run for the Fallen event in Arlington, Virginia went very well today despite the poor weather conditions in the area. The final mileage total was 100 miles walked by all participants in memory of all service members who are gone but not forgotten including:
CPL Christopher J. West
LTjg Francis “Frankie” L. Toner IV
1st LT. Aaron Seesan
Capt. Eric Paliwoda
LT. Florence B. Choe
* John Ferguson – Vienna, VA – Did a mile today on the WOD Trail in Vienna, VA, in memory of USMC 1st LT Alex Wetherbee of Fairfax, VA.
I have received 2 more mileage updates from people who could not make the trek to Virginia (see below):
Palm Desert, CA – 2.5 miles walked in memory of CPL C.J. West
Washington, DC – 28 miles ran in memory of MAJ. Brian Mescall

WASHINGTON
WA-1 *Luis Osorio – Served with the 3-2 SBCT FT.LEWIS, WA OIF 2006-2007. Luis will run in WA (or OR), along the picturesque Yelm- Tenino trail. You may email Luis at almacigo87 [at] yahoo [dot] com
WA-2 *Joseph – Seattle – A small group will be doing a 5K in Seward Park (Seattle) to remember CWO3 Cornell Chao of 4/227 AVN
WA-3 *Lizzie Lee – Seattle, WA – I am running a 10K race (Lake Union 10K) in Seattle, WA on Sunday 23th. I’ll run the race in memory of Spec. Jeremiah W. Schmunk and Sgt. Travis D. Pfister, both from Richland, WA.
If there is somebody else doing this race, we can gather as a group at the beginning of the race.

WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN
*Judith Singer – www.beingtherereachingout.org – Gold Star Families and supporters will be running again in Wisconsin on August 23. They will run at Woods National Cemetery, the third oldest military cemetery in the Country. Start time is 10am. “We run for and among our heroes.” To download a flyer, click here.
After the event, Judith wrote, “15 Wisconsin Families of our Fallen Heroes along with friends and supporters ran over a total of 200 miles for our Fallen Heroes Sunday the 23rd. It was our honor… and we’ll do it again next year… bigger and better.”
*Dan Dobogai – Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Fond du Lac, WI – Saturday, September 5, 2009, 730am – 1230pm. The run is in honor of Capt. Derek Dobogai. Please visit Derek’s website, www.dobogaimemorialrun.com/, or the event Facebook page.
*Bloomer, WI – The Family of our Hero Tracy Alger is organizing a Run in Bloomer, WI

WYOMING

WORLDWIDE
Jakarta, Indonesia – Jim Grant ran 7km in Jakarta, Indonesia in honor and remembrance of 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary.

Tikrit, Iraq – Michael Foster writes, “10 of us from 1-98 CAV MS Army National Guard ran a total of 56 miles at COB Speicher just outside Tikrit Iraq.”

Kosovo – Sgt Cole Cutler, US Army deployed in Kosovo, ran 14 miles for Sgt Anthony Ewing of the US Army, Arizona killed OIF May 2007

Germany – Three ran 12 miles in honor of Ignacio “Nacho” Ramirez, KIA August 9th 2006.
Following persons ran:
Lamia Durrance, Frankfurt, Germany, 3 miles on August 23rd 2009
David Durrance, Frankfurt, Germany 3 miles on August 23rd 2009
Katharina Krug, Frankfurt, Germany 6 miles on August 23rd 2009