7/16/08

First event of the day out here!

Well it was quite a day in our little corner of north west Okieland, with a couple of events taking place. The first was the 'Run for the Fallen' coming through our area, this is what it says at their website about this wonderful tribute to our fallen heroes:

ONE MILE FOR EVERY SERVICE MEMBER KILLED
IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

Beginning Flag Day, June 14, 2008, a dedicated team of runners will run across America from Fort Irwin, CA to Arlington National Cemetery, one mile for every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, and Marine killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. For ten weeks, team members will mark each mile with an American flag and signcard in an apolitical reflection of remembrance of each service member.


We were lucky enough to meet the founder and director Jon Bellona on the side of Highway 15. He started the run to honour his bestfriend who was killed in service out there. We shook his hand, had a chat as he was rather surprised to be accosted by two British women out here and then he posed for the picture, which also includes our local friendly Highway Patrol man, James.

Jon had been stopping every mile to place a little American Flag with a fallen soldiers name on it at the side of the road in tribute, and then also running in the overpowering heat. You can read all about their run here, see if they are coming to your area and also find the list of soldiers they run for on each individual day.

It was an honour to meet Jon and it's a wonderful tribute.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that is a wonderful tribute. I'm glad you & your mom shook his hand. Are you alive? I haven't heard from you in a bit. I know how you like your shopping; I've been surprised you aren't trying for the freebies.

Vickie said...

That is just an awesome tribute!
And, I have to ask, are all Oklahoma Highway Patrol built like brick shitehouses? Yowsah!! And nummers!

Unknown said...

Vickie! I almost choked LOL at your comment :-)

James is an especially fine specimen of an Okie HP, almost worth a speeding ticket ;-)

Pam said...

Yes, I notice your mum getting as close as possible to this fine specimen. One of the best examples of the OHP I have seen. And certainly cuter than the cows ;)

Nan said...

Thank you so much for posting about this. I hadn't heard. I went and found the young man whom I posted about this spring.