Posted on 08/25/2008 4:41:34 PM PDT by SandRat
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va., Aug. 25, 2008 It started as a leap of faith, but more than 10 million steps later, a 10-man relay team arrived here, at what the memorial runs organizer called the most sacred place in America.
Run for the Fallen, inspired by Bellonas best friend and college roommate, Army 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary, began on Flag Day, June 14, just outside the gates of Fort Irwin, Calif. Cleary, 24, was a member of the 3rd Infantry Divisions 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Benning, Ga., when he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq on Dec. 20, 2005. The mission was a simple one: to run one mile for every American servicemember killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each mile was marked by a small American flag and a card honoring a servicemember -- one mile of sweat and pain to pay homage to one soldiers life, the Run for the Fallen Web site says. That mission was completed just outside the gates here yesterday under a brilliant blue sky. The healing process the run started, however, continued after the last mile was complete. Those who participated in the final 10 kilometers of the run, as well as family and friends of fallen servicemembers, moved as a group to Section 60 inside the cemeterys gates. Section 60 is the portion of the cemetery dedicated to the fallen heroes of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. After an Army bugler played Taps, those family and friends spent a moment visiting their fallen loved ones graves, purging another small measure of grief. Cleal Bradford, of Blanding, Utah, grandfather to 46 and great-grandfather to 41, was among them. His grandson, Army 1st Sgt. Nathan Winder, 32, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Lewis, Wash., when he was killed June 26, 2007, by enemy small-arms fire in Diwaniyah, Iraq. This is my third time [to visit the grave] since the burial, Bradford said as he sat under a tree clutching a small American flag. [Today] was beautiful, playing Taps. Marianne Cleary, mother of the soldier who inspired the run, agreed. [Im] overcome with what theyve accomplished, she said. What theyve done is theyve honored and theyve remembered. To know that people are still honoring, and its still going on [is reassuring]. Clearys sister, Shannon, of San Diego, ran as part of the relay team and had developed a personal connection to many of the names she saw chiseled into the headstones in Section 60. Im going through here and Im like, I ran his mile, and I ran her mile, she said. People ask how you do it. Youre thinking about Frederick for a mile. Youre thinking about Russell for a mile. And while she agreed the trek through the Mojave Desert was a hot one, Nobody was shooting at us, she said. Julie Jutras, an area resident, ran the final 10 kilometers in honor of her son. Army Pfc. Dillon Miles Jutras was killed in Iraqs Anbar province on Oct. 28, 2005, while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, from Fort Benning. Jutras and a team that runs the Army 10-miler had heard about Run for the Fallen and began logging their training miles in honor of a fallen Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. Weve run for about 1,800 people in our training miles, she said. It wont happen before this years Army 10-miler, but were hoping to be able to cover every person that sacrificed. Fallen Army Staff Sgt. Henry W. Lincks father claimed to have left his running days behind some 30 years ago. But Rick Linck traveled from Lebanon, Tenn., with his wife and younger son to participate in the days events nonetheless. The experience left his spirit buoyed. It showed me that some people still remember what our fallen heroes deserve, Linck said. What better tribute [than] to make a run? Its honored my son. Its honored daughters, husbands, wives, sons, grandsons -- showing that we still do care. Lincks son was killed in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 7, 2006, 18 days before his 23rd birthday. He was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Richardson, Alaska. As the last carnations and stones were placed at the headstones of friends and loved ones, the crowd began to dissipate with Bellonas earlier words still clear in their minds. While the run across America is over, the journey of honor and remembrance continues, he said. It is here that now we walk, shoulder to shoulder, in tribute to the fallen. |
Related Sites: Run for the Fallen Arlington National Cemetery America Supports You |
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May they rest in peace at the right hand of the Father knowing that they were loved and honored in their sacrifice for us all. May God bless their families!
I have nothing personal to do with this, other than as a Nam Vet, I felt compelled to donate in order to help honor fallen comrades and brothers in arms.
That and the fact that my neighbor (a really super nice guy) is the highest ranking NCO in the guards and who recently returned from his 2nd tour in Afganistan.
If anyone wants to check this out, here is the site:
THE VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD FALLEN HEROES MEMORIAL
PS As a Freeper (and Vermonter) I apologize in advance for anyone who visits for having to suffer thru an Intro by our own, Senator Patrick (Far Left, Socialist, Media Whore, Moonbat, Gassbag) Leahy.
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