Hundreds Gather Leading Up to 9/11 Anniversary To Honor Fallen Military Heroes
Scituate, MA – On Saturday, over 500 people took part in the first annual Massachusetts Run For The Fallen put on by the Military Friends Foundation, a local non-profit started after 9/11 to care for Massachusetts military families. Participants ran in honor of each of the 192 Massachusetts service members who have lost their lives since September 11, 2001. The events’ purpose was to raise awareness of those who have died, to rejuvenate their memories and keep their spirits alive.
“It is important for me to have a place like this run to honor those who protect our freedoms and the service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice. These families have been impacted by 9/11 as much as our families,” said Jennifer Kirwin Masse of Kingston, who lost her brother Glenn in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Jennifer joined General George Casey, David McKiernan, L. Scott Rice and Thomas Sellars, MA Veterans Services Secretary Coleman Nee and families of the Fallen in the reading of 192 names during the run’s opening ceremony.
Tribute markers honoring the Fallen were placed along the run course and runners came from all over New England, including special support for this year’s inaugural Massachusetts Run from the Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut Runs For The Fallen. General George W. Casey, who served as master of ceremonies, called upon the citizens of Massachusetts to make the run an annual tradition. “We have asked people across the state to Join Us and Honor Them. This event was 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 SGM Jim Kelly, Iraq Combat Veteran and Military Friends Foundation President.
The 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 next year’s event and to continue to support families of the Fallen year around. The run is a 9/11 community service project and there is no cost to take part in the memorial tribute run. Please visit www.militaryfriends.org for more information about becoming involved in the run.
