Honoring lives lost in global war on terrorism, journey steps off Thursday from Cape May Point
CAPE MAY POINT — The 18th annual NJ Run for the Fallen is set to step off on its 195-mile journey Sept. 24 from Sunset Beach in Cape May Point, ending Sept. 28 in Holmdel.
Each mile that the Run Team puts on their sneakers over those four grueling days represents the state’s more than 16,000 members of the armed forces who have lost their lives serving their country.
Each mile of the journey is dedicated to an individual, with the team stopping at designated Hero Markers along the route to present a flag and personalized biographical card to waiting family members, friends and comrades.
“While we run one mile to honor each fallen hero of the Global War on Terror, this journey represents all New Jersey service members who have laid down their lives for our freedom,” the organization’s website states. “Thousands have made this sacrifice, and as we honor each individual hero by name, we also remember those who came before them throughout history. Regardless of war, branch of service or circumstance of loss, we run for them all — paying tribute to their service, their sacrifice and the families they left behind.”
The runners travel north through multiple towns throughout the Garden State, wrapping up at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel on National Gold Star Mothers/Family Day.
“The last Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of September, we run across New Jersey to raise awareness of the lives of those who have died, to rejuvenate their memories and keep their spirits alive, to support organizations that aid the families of those killed and to aid in the healing process for the native New Jersey residents whose lives have been affected by war,” the website states.
The even begins with a lunch for New Jersey Gold Star Families (those who have lost a son or daughter) Sept. 23 in Cape May.
That’s followed by a visit to the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in Erma, then a remembrance ceremony and dinner inside the hangar.
Runners will gather at 7 a.m. Thursday at Sunset Beach, from where the Run Team will step off at 7:35 a.m.
Cape May Point Commissioner Suzanne Yunghans, who oversees Public Works, parks and public properties, said the borough takes pride in the event starting there each year.
During the Borough Commission meeting Sept. 8, Mayor Anita VanHeeswyk encouraged residents to attend the opening event.
“This is for fallen heroes and one of them is from Cape May Point,” VanHeeswyk said. “It is really moving.”
The Point established Veterans Memorial Park near the Cape Avenue entrance to the borough and dedicated it on Memorial Day.
“Support for our veterans is close to our heart,” Yunghans said.
Lower Township resident Eileen Kreis, president of the NJ Run for the Fallen, said local support is vital to making the event a success. She noted the Hume family, which owns the businesses at Sunset Beach, is very welcoming, blocking off the parking lot the night before so the team can assemble for the opening ceremony.
In fact, the late Marvin Hume, a U.S. Navy veteran, is the first Hero honored during the event. He was well known for his veteran flag raising event each day.
“He is our first marker; he is Ground Zero for our start,” Kreis said.
In addition, five hotels in Cape May and Wildwood — ICONA Cape May, Ocean Club, La Mer, Bolero and Blue Palm — provide about 100 free rooms annually for the Gold Star Families, runners and support personnel.
“In Wildwood and Cape May, I don’t pay for a single room. These people flat out donated to these families and they get it,” Kreis said. “It’s incredible to me, the generosity of our community. It says a lot about our people here.”
She noted that in Ocean City and everywhere north, they have to pay for hotel rooms.
The Core Team is divided into five teams, with each team being assigned miles. Generally, each team needs to run about 11 miles a day, divided into two legs. The entire Core Team runs the first and last miles each day.
They will travel through Cape May Point, Cape May, Lower Township, Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Avalon and Sea Isle City before ending the first day in Ocean City.
The runners are scheduled to make a stop at the Ocean City Fishing Club pier at about 5:03 p.m., when runners will honor DW2 Nicholas P. DiMona II and his son, Spc. Nicholas P. DiMona III, both of who died in service to their country. Their family will be present for the ceremony.
The first day will wrap up at 6:50 p.m. at Morvay-Miley-Cruice American Legion Post 524 at 4508 West Ave. The post has been an integral part of the event since its inception in 2009.
After visiting the 60 Hero Markers throughout the county, a dinner will be provided for the Gold Star Families, the Core Team and Support Team.
“Post 524 is pleased to be doing its part to pay tribute to New Jersey’s brave servicemen, servicewomen and their families,” Ocean City American Legion Commander Bob Marzulli said. “This is a unique and moving event and the public is invited to join us along the route.”
Kreis said while they hold the event to recognize those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and not for recognition, those organizing and participating in the event are disappointed there are few people standing along the route to cheer the runners on.
“This is our 18th year and running pretty much the same route, and as much as we’ve done it, people don’t know who we are coming through the town,” she said.
Kreis said that while there now are people at every marker throughout the state, few gather to see the runners pass.
One place they do get a lot of attention is the county schools, which they visit on the first day of the run.
“Kids from all the schools come out; it’s just an awesome event,” Kreis said, noting that this year, runners are flying in from all over because some of those planning to run have been deployed to the Middle East.
She said the event is exhausting, both physically and emotionally.
“You’re crying and happy and laughing and your body hurts and all of the above,” Kreis said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Cape May Star and Wave
