On September 20, 21, and 22nd a team of runners will embark on a 150 mile run through CA. At each mile the “Run Team” will place an American Flag with the personal biography of the fallen service member. The team will then read the name of the fallen and salute them. Each mile ran and each flag saluted is to pay homage to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to their families left behind. These runners will leave a 150 mile long memorial trail through California.
California Run for the Fallen consists of a dedicated team of Active Duty runners, medics, and many other Active Duty, Retired (Military), Reserve, Veterans, Gold Star Mothers & Families, Warriors Watch Riders, Patriot Guard Riders, and Community Leaders and Businesses.
Their mission is to raise awareness for the lives of California service members who have fallen Post 9/11/2001 or as a result of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and NEW DAWN; to rejuvenate their memories and keep their spirits alive; to support organizations that aid California Gold Star Families, and to aid in the healing process for those families whose lives have been affected by combatant or non-combatant situations.
Hero Marker #104 is Army Corporal Sean K.A. Langevin who was 23-years-old when he died. Langevin planned to return home in time for his daughter’s birth when he was killed in an ambush in the mountains of Afghanistan. He was one of five soldiers who died Nov. 9 when their patrol came under enemy fire in Aranus, according to the Department of Defense.
Alicia Takae, Langevin’s aunt, says “Sean was a kind and wonderful man whose smile would light up a room.” She continues, “He was an adventurist, Eagle Scout, loving son, brother, husband, and at the time of his death, a soon to be father.” She added that she felt her words were inadequate to describe her nephew.
On the 22nd, the CA Run for the Fallen embark on the last part of their race in Contra Costa County. They will start at 5:00 a.m. in Tracy on South Reeve Road and Byron Highway and make their way North on Byron Highway through Discovery Bay, Brentwood and Oakley. This 150 mile long memorial is one paved with the lives of those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. It gives people a chance to recognize their lives, their families who struggle to live without them and the ultimate sacrifice they made for our country.
For more information about the run, please visit their website.
Event Sponsors Include:
- Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Honor Team
- American Gold Star Mothers, Dept. of Northern California
- AD Special T’s, Embroidery and Screen Printing Inc
- Travis AFB Honor Team
- Some Gave All, Joey Graves Foundation
- Flee Feet Sports
- Patriot Guard Riders
- Never Forget Our Fallen
- ColorfastFlags.com
- Wear Blue: Run to Remember
- Consumnes Fire
- 60th Maintenance Group Top III Organization, Travis Air Force Base
- Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club, Chapter 24, Travis AFB
- Travis AFB Enlisted Spouse Club
- Napa Solano Riders ALR
- American Legion, Tracy
- East County Veterans
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING:
Gold Star Families
Karen Meredith, Roxane Langevin, Dianne Layfield, Wendy & John Hallett, Laura Spencer, Loretta & Sheldon Bridges, Brent Layton, Mike & Angela Anderson, Leianne & Kevin Graves
Law Enforcement Agencies
Elk Grove, Galt, Lodi, Stockton, Manteca, Lathrop, Tracy, Brentwood, Oakley, Rio Vista and California Highway Patrol.
By Amy Schrader
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Email: [email protected]
2 comments
Great cause!
Does anyone know if this will be done again next year? I would be honored to participate.
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