Photo By Sgt. Adam Simmler | Amy Balduf, wife of Marine Sgt. Kevin Balduf who was killed in Iraq in May of last...... read more read more
OGUNQUIT, Maine - For most Mainers, Aug. 19 is a typical Sunday morning, some people sleep in, while others go to church, but for a few hundred it was a day of remembrance. In the morning, the name of each Maine military service member killed since Sept. 11, 2011, was read, one-by-one, followed by the toll of a bell, then a moment of silence. This continued 81 times, 81 times too many.
Families from across Maine gathered in Ogunquit, Maine to watch the start of the 5th Annual Run for the Fallen, a tribute race stretching 65-kilometers, approximately 40 miles, from its start in Ogunquit to the finish line at the Ocean Gateway in Portland. Each kilometer dedicated to a fallen military member.
At kilometer 16, Paul and Dee House stand next to the placard commemorating their son, Sgt. Joel House, killed in Iraq in 2007.
“We're grateful that people will remember those fallen, and not forget them.” said Paul House “Freedom isn't free as we know, and this is another way to let the public know what has been done and to remind them that every picture is a loss.”
Before the runners arrived at the House’s marker, members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a national motorcycle group dedicated to supporting military veterans and their families, pull their bikes over, each rider in turn saying a few words to the family, a handshake, a hug. Then they mount their bikes and continue down course, stopping at each marker.
“It helps you realize that you’re not alone,” said House. “I’ll be walking our son’s kilometer.”
When the runners show up, the lead vehicle stops and an announcer reads the name of Sgt. House and few words about him, then a moment of silence. The runners regroup and set off again, this time with a few fresh runners, and one devoted father.
The same scene plays at every memorial marker, the procession of riders, runners and supporters stop as the name of the service member is read while families and runners meet , followed by a moment of silence. The group moves along Route 1, each time stopping to commemorate a fallen hero, a brother, sister, father, mother, husband or wife.
The group gains momentum in its last few kilometers. State Troopers clear a lane of traffic in Portland’s Old Port for the runners, while people on the sidewalk stop and cheer the participants moving down the street. As a reminder of the 40-mile journey, placards for all 81 fallen military members are arrayed on each side of the final stretch to the finish line, at the Oceans Gateway.
Soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard line the rest of the pathway encouraging the runners in their final effort to the finish line and the cheering crowd of family, friends and supporters.
At the end of the course there a many congratulations and patted backs, but the true accomplishment is for the families.
This run lets the families know that we still care about them, what they gave and their sacrifice, said Staff Sgt Crystal Ryder, a support volunteer for the race from the 286 Combat Support Sustainment Battalion.
Paul House expressed, “It's to honor those that have sacrificed their lives, to remember them and to never forget, for the families it's a time to see each other and talk about our sons and daughters.”
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2014 11:17 |
| Story ID: | 150915 |
| Location: | OGUNQUIT, ME, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Going the distance for Maine's fallen, by SGT Adam Simmler, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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