Waynoka, OK
Eric Janes drives the vanagon and BJ Gardiner shoots some footage somewhere near Perryton, TX. View more pics of the run in Perryton, TX.
Today we finished running up to Hopeton, OK and came back and stayed in Waynoka, OK. Wayne LaManyon and Lynn Whipple took us out on the sand dunes in Little Sahara State Park and we had a blast of a time. Unbelievable! Tomorrow we head out to Medford, OK and will stay over in the Best Western in Enid, OK.
Friday we hit Wichita, KS, our eighth state and will pick up a few more members of the team. Shannon Cleary, Rowland Boateng, David Bellona, Patti Janes, Rebecca Janes, and Abbey Saunders. We are very fortunate to be out here and we anticipate many more heartfelt miles, moments, and memories.
Here’s a video of today’s sand dune ride with Lynn.
I will be looking for you tomorrow near Medford–you are placing a flag for Sgt Evan Parker, a young man originally from South Haven, KS–his flag is to be placed 2 miles west of Medford. Any timeline available??? I am also planning on going to Douglass, KS and Frontenac, KS–2 more flags for military heroes that I knew. I do know some people want to make the Douglass trip where you will honor Sgt Jerry Mills (Arkansas City, KS). I am traveling a ways and would just like to know if there is any estimate based on when you start and stop every day.
You guys/gals are doing something so profound for so many—thank you so much for YOUR efforts and sacrifice in this endeavor. You are deeply appreciated by so many of us…..God bless you all.
“Drop a pebble in a pond and its ripples reach out far!” So true! All it took was one cold call phone call from me and Sharon, at KEYE 96.1 Perryton delivered!
In Shattuck, Belinda Jordan, Tonya Jones at the Chamber of Commerce and L.R.Holley , city manager, really came through on short notice and grasped the importance of the Run.
As for Waynoka which was only to be a run through on the way to Hopeton, these folks know how to extend a welcome from the Heartland ~ pun intended! Kudos to Sharon at City Hall ( a grateful mom whose son is right now on the way home from Iraq) for moving things forward, and especially to Wayne LaManyon and his team at the Chamber of Commerce for understanding the significance of the spirit of the Run. Finally, the deepest gratitude to Mark Carson, Owner/ Publisher of Woods County Enterprise – a hometown newspaper serving the Waynoka area – for driving down highway 281 and photographing the flag at mile 1926 for Jason Benford, so I could forward it to one of his best buddies who himself has recovered from injuries, but is battling Post Traumatic Stress. It means the world to Noah to be able to send this beautiful, but poignant, photo to Jason’s family. I am hopeful that someone at Woodward will do the same for Matt Bohling three miles out of town, and, on the way to Medford there are five faceless flag cards of fallen heroes who will live on in the hearts of their families and their buddy Noah. 1972 , 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976 ~ Tommy, Jeff, Rich, Vince and Timm. Anyone out on the highway with a camera to shoot a close up of the flags and cards will earn the gratitude of many.Mark knows how to reach me.
To the team, God speed as you run in honor of your own special friend Michael on July 20th. The nation is with you!
When will the time-frame details of the entry into Arlington National Cemetery be announced?
Our family will be at Arlington National Cemetery for the final event on August 24th with flags, name signs, photos and flowers, representing the families of the Army 3/509th PIR who honor the memories of the nineteen fallen warriors who served in OIF. We know of Marine families that are planning to participate that day, too, cheering on the runners and paying tribute to the fallen in Section 60. We have also helped organize and sponsor a run by the paratroopers at Fort Richardson, AK on August 24th as they help keep alive the memories of their fallen brothers-in-arms. .
Friends and families of the 3/509th PIR will be running, walking and cheering along the cross-country run throughout the month of August as our heroes are remembered. We are honored to be a small part of this extraordinary tribute to those who have sacrificed so much for our nation. Thank you to all who have been involved in making an incredible dream become such a profound reality.
“The nation which forgets its defenders – it too will be forgotten.” -Calvin Coolidge
We can not wait to have RUN FOR THE FALLEN through Fort Campbell and Clarksvill, TN. You do not know how special this time will be for many. We have already had a Brigade and many volunteers want to get involved with this run. It means so much to so many. We will see you August 2nd and we will be ready. We already have a Fallen Night Stalker Survivor volunteer to say a few words. Thanks so much.
Cyleste
R3
I am a three time Iraqi Freedom veteran who is preparing for my upcoming fourth tour. I have lost many soldiers, brothers, and friends and am very interested in having some of my PLT/company run with you for a few miles as you pass through TN. I am stationed at FT Campbell and would love to know when and where you will be coming closest to us so we can meet you and share a few miles on the road. I think it will be good for all of us, as most of them have not been anywhere yet. They need the gut check, the awareness, and the respect to sink in well before they go. Please let me know when we can meet you along the road.
V/R,
SFC Tippett, Aaron M.
591st Engineer Company SAPPER
FT Campbell, KY 42223
Operations Sergeant
Family and friends joined Micheal Cleary’s mile today in spirit from Pennsylvania. Video from Mt Olivet cemetary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdQKR_kVtv0