By DOUG OTTO
On Thursday, Sept. 22, a team of military members from Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst and other locations from across the U.S. will come together to run a 195-plus-mile journey in honor of every New Jersey service member who died in support of the Global War on Terror (GWOT).
The Ocean City American Legion Post 524 has been an integral part of this event since its inception 14 years ago.
Each mile run is dedicated to a fallen New Jersey Hero and their Gold Star Family. The Run Team stops after each mile at a Hero Marker to present a flag and personalized biographical card to waiting family members and friends. The goal is to create a Memorial Trail through New Jersey.
A kick-off Remembrance ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at The Naval Air Station Museum, 500 Forrestal Road, Cape May Airport at 4:45 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner inside the museum for Gold Star Families and The Run Team.
On Sept. 22, runners will depart Sunset Beach (502 Sunset Blvd., Cape May Point) at 7:45 a.m. and run through Cape May Point, the City of Cape May, Lower Township, Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Avalon and Sea Isle City, finishing the day at Ocean City’s American Legion Post 524 (4562 West Avenue). In total, runners will visit 81 Hero Markers located throughout Cape May County.
There are 28 Hero Markers at 16 locations in Ocean City. The runners will arrive at the Ocean City Hero Markers at the times listed below. The public is invited to come out to one of the markers 15 minutes prior to the arrival of the run team to show appreciation for the sacrifices the military members and their families have made.
For a complete list of the Hero Markers throughout Cape May County, please visit www.njrun.org
