"Today we have the honor of witnessing the remarkable impact that one young man has had on those he loved, inspiring them so greatly, in life and in death, that they have sought to inspire an entire nation in his memory. Today we allow patriotism to exist in its rightful place apart from politics, reminding us that beyond Right and Left there is common ground; beyond division there is unity over the things that matter. Run for the Fallen has the ability to remind us that when we put aside our politics, we are no longer willing to forget what's really at stake, no longer willing to spend more time debating than remembering, more time fighting than thanking. Run for the Fallen's message teaches us how important and how wonderfully simple it is to pay tribute to those who have given their lives for our country – to put one foot in front of the other for a single mile of remembrance to aid our collective healing process and do justice to the ultimate sacrifice of our service members." – Emma Woods '09, 1st LT Michael J. Cleary Scholarship recipient
Woods delivered these words at the conclusion of Hamilton's Run for the Fallen mile-long memorial tribute that took place simultaneously with the national Run for the Fallen final run to and ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 100 alumni, students, employees and community members joined in the August 24 event organized by Professor of Mathematics Richard Bedient and Woods. After runners and walkers finished the one-mile course across campus, both organizers made brief remarks.
The Washington D.C. 10-K run concluded the more than 4,000-mile run across the country to honor those service men and women killed in Iraq. The final segment of the run was made in remembrance of those fallen in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Both CNN and Stars and Stripes, the daily paper published for the military, covered the event nationally. Many local newspapers and television stations across the country also covered similar events held in 35 states and four countries. In central New York, the Observer-Dispatch and WKTV reported on the Hamilton-based event.
Run for the Fallen was an apolitical cross-country relay organized by Hamilton College alumnus Jon Bellona '03 and several other Hamiltonians to remember their Hamilton classmate Michael Cleary '03 and all other service men and women who have died in Iraq. The group started in California on June 14 and planted a flag and personalized placard at each mile marker in honor of an individual fallen service member.
Woods delivered these words at the conclusion of Hamilton's Run for the Fallen mile-long memorial tribute that took place simultaneously with the national Run for the Fallen final run to and ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 100 alumni, students, employees and community members joined in the August 24 event organized by Professor of Mathematics Richard Bedient and Woods. After runners and walkers finished the one-mile course across campus, both organizers made brief remarks.
The Washington D.C. 10-K run concluded the more than 4,000-mile run across the country to honor those service men and women killed in Iraq. The final segment of the run was made in remembrance of those fallen in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Both CNN and Stars and Stripes, the daily paper published for the military, covered the event nationally. Many local newspapers and television stations across the country also covered similar events held in 35 states and four countries. In central New York, the Observer-Dispatch and WKTV reported on the Hamilton-based event.
Run for the Fallen was an apolitical cross-country relay organized by Hamilton College alumnus Jon Bellona '03 and several other Hamiltonians to remember their Hamilton classmate Michael Cleary '03 and all other service men and women who have died in Iraq. The group started in California on June 14 and planted a flag and personalized placard at each mile marker in honor of an individual fallen service member.
