LYNNFIELD – Military Friends Foundation is proud to announce that the third annual “Massachusetts Run For The Fallen” 5K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, September 6 at MarketStreet Lynnfield.  The goal of the event is to honor of each of the 242 Massachusetts Servicemembers who have lost their live since September 11th. The event hopes to raise awareness those who have died, to rejuvenate their memories and keep their spirits alive.

Hundreds of family members of the Fallen have registered and hundreds runners/walkers are expected to take part in this memorial run.  The run is free to both families of the Fallen and the public.  With a $30 donation, runners/walkers will receive an event tshirt, medal & full post-race lunch from Kings restaurant.  All are encouraged to attend the pre-run name reading tribute, cheer on the runners and attend the post run family friendly festivities at The Green at MarketStreet.  Hero Markers honoring the Fallen will be placed along the 5K loop and family members of the Fallen will be along the course.  There is a team established for SSG Kevin O’Boyle of Lynnfield who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Military Friends Foundation 501(c)3, which was started after 9/11 to support Massachusetts military families and Families of the Fallen, is working to raise funds to hold this year’s event and to keep the event going for years to come.  Funds raised will directly support the cost of the event and enable Military Friends to assist families of the Fallen year around.  While a few sponsors had stepped forward, Military Friends hopes that more Massachusetts businesses will be compelled to support the tribute in the final days before the run.

“Support from the community is everything.  We are asking people across the state to Join Us and Honor Them.  This is a rare opportunity to step up and literally say to families who’ve have lost a loved one that we haven’t forgotten and that we will continue to remember,” said Brigadier General Thomas Sellars (ret.), Iraq Combat Veteran and Co-Chairman of the Run.  For more information about the run or to become a sponsor, please visit www.massrunforthefallen.org or call 1-84-HELP-VETS.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS (all open to the public):

Date: September 5^th

Time/ Location: 4pm-8pm @ The Green at MarketStreet

What: Volunteers needed to help set up a boot and flag display to honor the Fallen

Date: September 6^th

7:00am – 8:45am: Registration opens (same day registration available) and pre-run festivities

8:00am: Name Reading and Ceremony Honoring the Fallen

9:00am: Timed Run Start

9:11am: Memorial Run Start

10:00am-12:00: Post Run event including live music from Lynnfield native Katrina Gustafsan, Lynn JROTC Color Guard performance, touch-a-truck event, raffles, JPLicks and more!