24 Hours For 24 Heroes Run & Walk
Memorial Day Weekend - Lake Quivira, Kansas
On Saturday, May 28th, Memorial Day weekend 2011, we will begin running and walking for 24 hours nonstop to honor 24 fallen soldiers from the Kansas City metro area, and you are invited to join us.
The idea for "24 Hours For 24 Heroes" began when I announced that I would be running 24 hours to bring awareness to 24 of Kansas City's fallen, and remind us all what the Memorial Day weekend is all about. A number of runners and walkers asked to join me. From that response, we've created an event that the public can participate in.
This is not a race, and there is no charge. It's a way for anyone who wants to honor and remember our fallen Kansas City area soldiers to do so, and the Lake Quivira community has stepped-up to help make this event possible. You are free to walk or run as much or as little distance as you like. You can even come and go as you please. One lap around the lake is about 4.25 miles, but distances of 1, 2, & 3 miles will also be marked off.
As I do in every race that I participate in, I will carry the American Flag the entire time to honor the sacrifices that these soldiers have made for our freedom while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
These soldiers gave everything for my freedom, so I will give every last ounce of my energy to see that they are not forgotten.
This is also a run to remember the sacrifices that the families of these soldiers have endured. The families are often the forgotten victims, and one of my main goals for this run is to bring awareness of the pain and suffering that these families continue to face. Many will never overcome their pain, and often, even more hardship is brought upon family members in the form of emotional stress or illness, drug and alcohol abuse, divorces, and even suicides. This is the side of losing a loved one to war that we don't often see or hear about.
My hope is that 24 Hours For 24 Heroes will become an annual event in Kansas City over the Memorial Day weekend so we always remember what the holiday is all about.
THE 24 FALLEN BEING HONORED THIS YEAR:
SGT Ian C. Anderson - Prairie Village, Kansas; SPC Benjamin J. Ashley - Independence, Missouri; PFC Shane R. Austin - Edgerton, Kansas; SGT Michael C. Barry - Overland Park, Kansas; SPC Joel L. Bertoldie - Independence, Missouri; SGT Jacob L. Butler - Wellsville, Kansas; SPC Richard M. Crane - Independence, Missouri; SPC Colby M. Farnan - Weston, Missouri; SGT Courtney D. Finch - Leavenworth, Kansas; SPC Lucas A. Frantz - Tonganoxie, Kansas; SSG Justin J. Galewski - Olathe, Kansas; 2LT James M. Goins - Bonner Springs, Kansas; CW3 Michael L. Hartwick - Orrick, Missouri; SGT Nicolas M. Hodson - Smithville, Missouri; CAPT Christopher B. Johnson - Excelsior Springs, Missouri; PVT Anthony M. Mazzarella - Blue Springs, Missouri; PFC Matthew M. Murchison - Independence, Missouri; SPC Shawn P. Rankinen - Independence, Missouri; PFC Jeremiah D. Smith - Odessa, Missouri; CPL David M. Unger - Leavenworth, Kansas; SGT Donald Ralph Walters - Kansas City, Missouri; LCPL Christopher B. Wasser - Ottawa, Kansas; SGT Charles T. Wilkerson - Kansas City, Missouri; SSG Kevin L. Zeigler - Overland Park, Kansas
The selection of the 24 soldiers being honored this year was based upon the date of their deaths as listed on the DOD website. I also had to set a limit to those within 50 miles of Kansas City for this year. I wanted to included soldiers killed both in theatre and out, however, information on those killed out of theatre wasn't readily available for this year's event. I know there are many other fallen soldiers from the area, and they will be honored in the following years. Regardless of their role, all who volunteered to serve the United States of America are considered heroes to me.
LOCATION: Lake Quivira, Kansas (www.quiviralake.com)
ACCESS: Lake Quivira
will be open to all participants, family and crew for the duration of the
event. This is normally a restricted access community. Please obey all speed
limits within the community.
COURSE MAP: www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/31712208
CEREMONIES BEGIN: 9:00 AM
START TIME: 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 28th
END TIME: 10:00 AM, Sunday, May 29th
COST: FREE (Donations accepted).
DONATIONS: 100% of donations, and proceeds from the sale of t-shirts, for this event will go towards making this an even bigger event next year, and the years to come.
REGISTRATION: We will have a sign up table before the event begins, or fill out the form below. You may be required to sign a release waiver on the day of the event.
PARTICIPATION: Anyone who is interesting in joining me is welcome. This is not a race, and there is no charge. It's just a way for anyone who wants to honor and remember our fallen Kansas City area soldiers to do so. You are free to walk or run as much or as little distance as you like, or come and go as you please. However, by attending this event, you participate at your own risk. You will also be responsible for providing your own food and drinks during the event, although some will be provided by volunteers. By participating, you agree that Strides of Pride, Inc., the Lake Quivira Community, the event volunteers and participants, and I (Greg Vaughn) will not be held responsible in any way for injuries, damages, or even deaths that may occur.
SAFETY: All participants who will be running at night MUST
wear some type of reflective device or light. Reflective vests and running
lights are available at all local running and sporting goods stores. There will
be areas of the course that have no street lights where a headlight or
flashlight is suggested.
SCORING/TIMING: This isn't a competition or race, but some participants will be collecting donations depending on the number of hours or miles they run or walk. We are looking into ways to have official lap counters.
SUPPORT/AID STATIONS: Runners and walkers will be supported and monitored by volunteers on golf cart throughout the duration of the event. Basic needs such as water and snacks will be provided by volunteers, but you are encouraged to bring along what you feel is adequate for yourself. We will have two aid stations spaced every two miles. At least one of those will be staffed by volunteers for the entire event.
MY PERSONAL DISTANCE GOAL: 100 miles, but even if I can only make it half that, my goal is to keep moving for 24 hours, either running, walking, or crawling. Many factors can play into long distance running. Overcoming those factors is part of the challenge. However, let’s not forget that this event is not about me or the distance and time, it's about remembering and honoring our fallen heroes.
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