Many Coming to Holmdel Sunday for "Run for the Fallen"

Lots of cars, motorcyclists, runners and out of town visitors are expected to make their way to Holmdel on today, Sunday Sept. 25, to take part -- or bear witness -- to the many athletes on a 152-mile Cape-May to Holmdel trek. 

The NJ Run for the Fallen event is rich in symbolism, emotion and affection for the soldiers and their families who have died in America's wars. At the end of each mile of the run is a designated Hero Marker. The runners stop to honor the fallen soldier, and offer a flag to the soldier's waiting family and friends. The event is supported by Gold Star families, numerous merchants, community volunteers, and representatives of school teams, scouts, and military organizations, and more. 

"All we want is for people to come out and honor the veterans, honor the military, and honor the fallen," said volunteer organizer Mike Simpson Wednesday at the towship Office of Emergency Management office, where he is also the volunteer coordinator. 

Here is a short rundown of what to expect in Holmdel, according to Simpson: 

Noon - 3:30 p.m at Vonage: Registration opens at Vonage headquarters for the three different runs people can take part in on the closed circular drive for the "Walk, Ride, Run for the Veteran" event that begins at 2 p.m. Strollers, kids, grandparents and children are welcome to take part, which will last 90 minutes. Register here for a "customizeable" t-shirt on the day. Day-of participants will be given a t-shirt with a blank shield on the back and asked to fill in who they are honoring, or any other message. There will be facilities in a tented area. Free food and drink will be provided by the Salvation Army and the American Recreation Military Service. 

4 p.m. at Vonage: A Remembrance Ceremony will include an honor guard, Sea Cadets from Naval Weapons Station Earle, a bagpiper, and the presentation of a new hand-crank custom wheelchair by the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Warriors. It will be received on behalf of the wounded veterans by Staff Sgt. Joe Beimfohr US Army (Retired) who will then ride the chair for the last 5 miles to the NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

5:00 p.m. OR later at Vonage: The arrival of the runners and contingent who began their journey at Sunset Beach in Cape May on Saturday, at dawn. The runners will be accompanied by a "Travelling Wall of Remembrance" on a float. Among the participants will be Union Beach resident and wounded soldier Sgt. Michael Minard, who uses a hand-cranked wheelchair. 

At Vonage, there will be a one mile and five-mile "Open Run" for other runners. The one-milers do one complete lap around the circular drive. The five milers continue their trip onto the township streets towards the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Cars will exit out of Vonage along a route marked in red Route 520 to Route 34, taking a right on Schank Road and a left on Holmdel Road to travel to the Arts Center entrace on Crawfords Corner Road. They will park in one of the arts centers lots and walk to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Golf cart drivers will take anyone needing a ride up the hill.) 

The runners will pause at the following Hero Markers, which will be erected around Holmdel on Wednesday: 

• At Vonage, Hero Marker 145, Capt. James M. Gurbisz of Eatontown, NJ.
• On Holmdel Road, Hero Marker 145A, Cpl. Brian M. Connelly of Union Beach, NJ.
• On Roberts Road, in front of a small brick building: Hero Marker 146, Pedro Millet-Meletiche of Elizabeth, NJ.
• At the entrance of F&F Nursery, Hero Mile Marker 147, Sgt. Michael D. Kirspel Jr. of Hopatcong and Keyport. 
• On Crawfords Corner Rd, in front of the Emergency Services Building, Hero Mile Marker 148, Staff Sgt. William R. Neil of Holmdel  
• At the PNC Arts Center access Road, NJ Turnpike Authority sign, Hero Mile Marker 149. 1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski of Freehold

The runners will travel through the Arts Center along the access road, under the Parkway bridges, where they will pass under a 30 x 60 foot flag held overhead by ladder trucks from Holmdel Fire Company Number 2 and Hazlet Fire Company Number One. 

The motorcyclists will line the access road. Gold Star families, a designation that identifies a family who has lost a member to war, will be escorted by the Boy Scouts to the memorial. Some of the Gold Star families are flying in from California, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, said Simpson. 

The event will finish at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, culminating in a Remembrance Ceremony and Dedication.