Run for the Fallen an emotional and successful event

Running for a noble cause.

On Saturday, September 12, Brooklyn held its annual Run for the Fallen event at the Shore Road Promenade. The initiative is a nationwide event that honors fallen soldiers who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

“Fort Hamilton has hosted this run for years,” said Army Community Service Director Carmen Borrero. “It’s something national every community will conduct and host at different states.”

Borrero discussed the significance for the participants. “The event is to  honor our fallen soldiers and recognize their sacrifice,” she said. “We invite community members as well as survivors to participate. We run for people they’ve lost in action.”

State Senator Marty Golden stopped by to speak as the run began during the morning hours, much to the delight of Colonel Joseph Davidson.

“He is a great advocate for the community and for the military community in particular,” Davidson said. “It was great to see him out here that morning.”

“The most important thing about today is remembering our former heroes and the people that have paid with their lives to support the greatest nation,” Golden said. “Coming off of September 11, it brings back a lot of memories and the effects of what war can do to a state and a nation.”

Golden also had a message to the participants. “To all of the wives and children and husbands that are here who have lost loved ones, you have my prayers. They are never forgotten. They paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

“This was a total success,” said Borrero. “It was a big turnout and it gets bigger every year, and people in the community and the military community look forward to it every year.”

First time participant Stephen Tomasulo was happy to partake in the race. “I saw an advertisement for it on the streets,” he recalled. “It was a great run. The weather was good. It was a nice, easy run for such a great cause. I would certainly do it again next year.”

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Corazon Aguirre