Honoring and Remembering
In 2008, the first National Run for the Fallen
began as a cross-country run in honor and remembrance of all fallen
service members killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring
Freedom. The team ran in a relay style, spanning over 4,000 miles from California to Arlington National Cemetery.
Runners marked each mile of their cross-country journey with an
American flag and personalized sign card in honor of every fallen
service member. Over 9000 runners in nine countries and 43 states
collectively ran approximately 36,000 miles.
In 2009, Houston Run for the Fallen was founded by mother and daughter team, Melinda Merillat and Steffani Erickson to honor family member, Marine Scout Sniper Cpl. John R. Stalvey. Corporal Stalvey was killed in action October 3, 2005 by an improvised explosive device (IED) while conducting combat operations near Karbala, Iraq.
Houston Run for the Fallen is simply a way to unite as a community who seek to honor those
who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms. The objective of Houston Run for the Fallen
is to first and foremost honor fallen soldiers and their families and
then to honor active and veteran service members and the organizations
that support them.
Participants are encouraged to run or walk 1 mile for a service member.
Some participants will
do more than a mile, some will do much less
while others push strollers and wheelchairs or pull wagons carrying
little children for whatever distance they choose.
"As
I walked the track, I talked with others around me. Hearing about these
heroes was incredibly moving. It made the journey even more poignant.
I'm already looking forward to next year's event." Charlie - Galveston, Tx.