A monument in Medford pays homage to soldiers from Burlington County who have fallen serving our country in the post-Vietnam era.
It currently lists 13 names of men.
Two more are to be added in coming days.
On Saturday, May 26, at Freedom Park on Union Street across from the public safety building, the site of the tribute, the third annual WIA-KIA (Wounded in Action — Killed in Action) 5K Run & Family Walk will benefit various causes and scholarships of the families of those valiant soldiers.
There is no rain date scheduled.
Registration kicks off at 7 a.m. Participants are encouraged to sign up online to avoid a line the morning of the event.
An hour later, at 8 a.m., a Blackhawk helicopter will land and stay on the scene for the duration of the day — a nice treat for the kids, organizers said.
At 8:30 a.m., attendees will be able to run or walk and leave with more than just the satisfaction that exercise brings.
Individuals, teams, or families are all welcome to attend, said Nino DePasquale, president of WIA-KIA and chairman of the Medford Returning Veterans Group.
“The whole idea is to get the community out there to join in and help us do what we’re trying to do,” he said, which is to benefit veterans and their families.
Since its beginnings, the event has significantly grown in size and support, Patrick Coty, executive director of WIA-KIA said.
In 2010, participants raised about $8,000, Coty said.
“The proceeds from that went toward the construction of a permanent monument in Freedom Park that has these names inscribed upon them,” he said.
Based on that growth curb, DePasquale hopes the event will continue to spiral high.
All ages come out, DePasqaule and Coty said.
“There was certainly someone in their latter ’70s at last year’s event,” Coty said. “It really just depends on how committed you are to coming out and participating.”
The youngest runner was 6, DePasquale added.
Of course, there is no need to run or walk.
“People can come out and show their support,” Coty said.
“You don’t have to run. You don’t have to walk,” he said. “Enjoy the day. It’s just going to be a great day for a great cause.”
The day is far-reaching, Coty said.
His daughter is driving from North Carolina, others come from Maryland and visitors stop in from all over the state.
To the families of the fallen, DePasquale said the event is a way to say: “We’re not forgetting you.”
The organization has been working with each family to find an appropriate, personal use for the money raised, he said.
“Some of the families are asking us to donate to a scholarship that was initiated in their son’s name,” he said, while other funds may go toward causes important to those families.
The money could even go toward a personal need a family might be experiencing, Coty said.
“Those that made this sacrifice should not be forgotten,” he said. “We just want them to know that they’re not forgotten.”
Freedom Park is the place to go in Burlington County to commemorate lives lost protecting our country, DePasquale said.
The Medford Returning Veterans Group and Marlton Assembly of God Church co-host the event, and the tribute continues the next morning at the church with a Memorial Day service honoring all branches of service.
The black hawk helicopter will remain on site throughout the day with crews there to answer any questions.
“It’s a very exciting part of it,” he said. “It’s really cool.”
Vintage Corvettes and military vehicles will also be on site at the park.
“We’re going to have a much bigger military presence,” he added.
U.S. Rep. Jon Runyan and state Sen. Diane Allen will be on hand, as will Brig. Gen. Jim Grant, of the New Jersey National Guard.
Achilles International, an organization that provides hand-cranked bicycles to severely injured veterans for rehabilitation will be bringing wounded veterans that will use the bicycles to participate in the run, DePasquale said.
Finally, leading the runners around the racecourse will be the Warriors Watch Riders Motorcycle Club.
“They’re dedicated to veterans,” he said. “They’re really, really great.”
For more information on WIA-KIA, call (856) 979–2439 or email info@wiakia.org.
For those interested in attending, Coty said: “Bring your American flag.”
To sign up or donate, visit www.wiakia.org. To run costs $25 and to walk is $10. There is no fee for children.
