Tribute run again heads through Adams County
The Indiana tradition began in 2015 when Honor and Remember Inc. and its Indiana Chapter established the Indiana Run for the Fallen to recognize and honor the men and women who have recently died during their military service for America. A team of 16 former military and patriots throughout Indiana will embark on a 140-mile journey from Fort Waye to Indianapolis that will honor every Hoosier who died while serving during the War on Terror and supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
The nationwide Run for the Fallen initially began in 2008 when Jon Bellona was inspired after the death of his college roommate and friend, First Lieutenant Michael Cleary in Iraq. He then created a national run of remembrance. On Flag Day, June 14, 2008, a dedicated team of runners began a run across America from Fort Irwin in California to Arlington National Cemetery, one mile for every member of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each year since the run across America, runners from around the world have joined Run for the Fallen in remembering our fallen heroes. Over 200,000 miles have been collectively run in remembrance of those fallen in those recent operations.
Honor and Remember, Inc. was started by George Lutz after the death of his eldest son, Tony. He recognized the need to educate the nation on the precious cost of freedom and he began raising awareness about the sacrifice made by soldiers who died for their country. The Honor and Remember Flag was unveiled nationally on Memorial Day 2008 to recognize the sacrifice of fallen military heroes and their families. The flag is now being endorsed by veteran and service organizations and adopted by cities and states as an official symbol.
Along the Run for the Fallen route in Indiana, a marker will be dedicated to an individual Indiana hero and their family. The run team will stop at each “Hero Marker,” which occurs every mile, to give individual
tribute to waiting Gold Star family members, friends and comrades. The event creates a 140-mile trail through Indiana. Each hero marker tribute includes a biographical description of the hero along with American and Honor and Remember Flags.
The Indiana “Run for the Fallen” begins on Friday morning, May 12th, at 7:00 a.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. Following a beginning ceremony, the three-day, 140-mile run will travel through Fort Wayne, Decatur, Berne, Geneva, Portland, Redkey, Albany, Muncie, Yorktown, Daleville, Anderson, Pendleton, Fortville, McCordsville, Lawrence and will finish on Sunday May 14th, at the Veterans War Memorial Plaza downtown Indianapolis, at 1:30 pm.
Details and route maps, along with more information about participating, donating, volunteering, or any other general questions, is available at the Indiana Run for the Fallen website at www.indiana.usarunforthefallen.org or www.HonorandRemember.org