On Sunday, Aug. 24, runners from Millen and Jenkins County are asked to join members of Millen Milers and More in a one-mile run in remembrance of those in the military who have lost their lives in the war in Iraq. This event will be one of hundreds held across the country and in many foreign countries and is timed to coincide with the arrival at Arlington Cemetery of a team of runners who left Fort Irwin, California, on Flag Day.

Organized by Jon Bellone of Clinton, New Jersey, to honor his close friend 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary who was killed in Iraq, these runners have traveled over 4000 miles. At each mile marker on every highway, these runners have placed an American flag and the name of a soldier killed in Iraq. They have named their effort: Run For The Fallen.

Because the number of casualties has increased since the early planning of the run, the team has had to adjust the route in order to cover enough miles. As of this writing, they have left Tennessee and are crossing Virginia. Along the way, local runners and members of the military from nearby bases have joined in the running.

But it is Aug. 24 that is the most special day, the day they arrive at our nation's Military Cemetery, Arlington.

Millen Milers and More is asking everyone who can run or jog a mile to join in the local Run For The Fallen. The mile will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Jenkins County Courthouse. The route will be through Millen north of Winthrope. The run will be done in respectful quiet, ending back at the Courthouse where, at 7:44 a.m., there will be a short memorial service.

As it is called the Run For The Fallen and in order that it not drag out, this event must be limited to those able to complete a mile in a maximum of 13 minutes.

Each runner will be provided a runner's bib with the name of a fallen soldier in whose memory he or she will be running. If a runner has lost a friend or relative on whose behalf he or she would like to run, that name will be put on the bib.

As the run will begin at 7:30 a.m. sharp, be sure to arrive early. All names must be on the runner's bibs and all participants must be on the road ready to run at that time. There will be no late start! Since the entire event will be over by 7:45 a.m., there will be plenty of time to clean up and make it to Sunday School and Church.

If there are any questions, contact Ray Miller, President of Millen Milers and More at 982- 1087 or Jim Hite at 982-4881.