More than 150 sign up for Run for the Fallen
August 15, 2011
Brigadier General Alan Gayheart, Assistant Adjutant General of the Idaho National Guard, will speak following Saturday's event.
Idaho's first "Run for the Fallen," which will honor 44 Idaho soldiers who gave their lives in service to our nation in wars since September 11, 2001, takes place at 7:45 a.m. Saturday at the Veteran's Memorial at the Boundary County Library, and more than 150 people from around the region have already signed up. (To read the names and see the faces of those we'll remember, click here.)

Several more are expected in the coming week and on the day of the event. Those already signed up include Gold Star families from Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, Seattle and more.

Run in conjunction with other Runs for the Fallen taking place in cities and towns across the nation, runners and walkers will collectively cover one kilometer for every serviceman and woman who's laid down their life in the line of duty in America's War on Terror.

Organized by Bernadette Kirk-Bonner and her daughters, who's son and brother, Sergeant Joshua Kirk, laid down his life in Afghanistan. Since they began planning several months ago, many have stepped up to assist and help, and Idaho's first Run for the Fallen is expected to be well organized and memorable.

The first Run for the Fallen took place in 2008 when a group of dedicated runners ran from Fort Irwin, California, to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., running one mile for every soldier, sailor, Marine and Airman who died in Operations Enduring Freedom through New Dawn to that date.

The goal of those first runners was to have all 50 states participate in a run or walk of remembrance during the same weekend in August. Last year, 7,600 runners in 45 states covered a distance of 44,347 miles. This year, Idaho adds another state to the list, and more miles to the final tally. You can learn more about the national effort at www.runforthefallen.org.

Brigadier General Alan C. Gayheart, Assistant Adjutant General of the Idaho National Guard, will attend the Idaho Run for the Fallen, and will speak in a closing ceremony between 1:45 and 2 p.m. After he addresses those in attendance, a free barbecue for participants will take place at the Bonners Ferry Fairgrounds.