Running a total of 64 miles, 13 members of the Philadelphia Alumni Association gathered at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum on Sunday, August 24, 2008 in honor of Run for the Fallen, a cross-country run honoring the men and women who have lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Organized by Jon Bellona '03, Run for the Fallen included a group of Hamilton Alumni and Friends who ran more than 4,000 miles across the United States, beginning on June 14, 2008 in California and ending at Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, August 24, 2008. On the final day of the cross-country run, all Americans, everywhere, were encouraged to run or walk at least one mile in memory of the service men and women who have fallen in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Alumni Associations like the group in Philadelphia ran in New York City, Denver, the Mohawk Valley and Washington, D.C.
Nearly 130 alumni, parents, employees, students and friends of the College gathered on the Hamilton College campus for a one mile run or walk through the North and South sides of campus. Following the ceremonial run/walk, Emma Woods '09 spoke about her experience as the first Cleary Scholar and her relationship with the Pat Cleary '68, P'91, P'03 family. 1LT Michael J. Cleary '03 joined the armed forces shortly after his graduation from Hamilton. While overseas in 2005, Cleary tragically lost his life; many of the Hamilton runners and walkers dedicated their run in his memory.
Over 200 runners and volunteers gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Final Day event, which included a 10K ceremonial run beginning at the Pentagon and concluding at Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington, the Hamilton community was invited to a private ceremony honoring the men and women who have fallen. Following the ceremony, the group gathered for a brunch where they learned about Bellona's process and drive of organizing Run for the Fallen, the run itself and shared memories of all fallen soldiers but specifically of 1LT Michael J. Cleary.
The Run for the Fallen was apolitical in nature and was not about pace or politics. During the cross-country run, an American flag and a placard describing each of the service men or women who have fallen during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom was placed at each mile marker over the two month run which crossed over 4,000 miles.
