TERRE HAUTE —
Flags waved in honor of the fallen, as the grateful walked laps to remember.
Hundreds gathered outside Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Saturday morning, as the third annual Wabash Valley Run for the Fallen got under way with a 5K race. Organizer Olivia Goulding said more than 100 runners participated in the race, which concluded just before the 9 a.m. flag ceremony.
“I think we had quite a big turnout for our first 5K,” she said.
Flags bearing the names of each American service member killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq line the stadium’s trail, where they will remain through Aug. 27. Participants are encouraged to walk the trail in their honor, logging the miles walked on the group’s website, www.wvrunfor
thefallen.org.
Lt. Col. Brad Spice, U.S. Army retired, told those gathered of the ongoing commitment to America’s troops.
“Wednesday evening, we placed 6,574 flags around the mile track. Thursday we added another five, and yesterday another two,” he said, noting the group wanted to ensure that each fallen American warrior was included, even those who died just recently.
Members of the Jr. ROTC programs at Terre Haute North and South Vigo high schools presented the American flag as part of the program as Dona Griffin, mother of the late Sgt. Dale Griffin, offered the invocation.
“… We know that freedom is not free and sometimes it is necessary to take up arms in defense of our country,” she said, praying for wisdom on behalf of the nation’s leaders, and peace for the families of those lost.
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett said the sheer volume of flags, each bearing a name, was striking.
“When you walk around and see all these flags, it really impacts you,” he said, pointing out this display only represents those lives lost in America’s most recent conflicts. “Thank a veteran. When you run across someone who has served, be mindful of that.”
Goulding said the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan really hit home to her as troops her own age were being killed. Studying the Revolutionary War, and even Vietnam, in school just isn’t the same as knowing the people involved personally, she remarked.
“This has made war a reality for me,” she said.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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A salute to Arronn: Bill Pilkin, center, salutes after a flag was presented to his wife, Jackie Pilkin, right, the mother of the late Spc. Arronn Fields, during a ceremony at the Run for the Fallen Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The flag was presented by Cadet Major Heather Booker, left, of the Terre Haute South Army Junior ROTC. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza)
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza This fold is for the mothers: 1st Lt. Alli Farrington of the Terre Haute North U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC makes one of the many symbolic folds of the flag during a ceremony Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza For family and the fallen: Dona Griffin offers the invocation during a flag ceremony that was part of the Wabash Valley Run for the Fallen Saturday at Memorial Stadium. At left is event organizer Olivia Goulding.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza One more time: Jackie and Bill Pilkin visit the flag and photo of their late son, Spc. Arronn Fields, one more time before leaving Memorial Stadium on Saturday after the Run for the Fallen.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Fast finish: Cory Ray, 13, of Indianapolis sprints to the finish line of the Run for the Fallen on Saturday on Brown Avenue near Wabash Avenue. Cory's grandparents are Paul and Sherry Ray of Terre Haute.
Discussion
2012 Wabash Valley Run for the Fallen
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