By DOUG OTTO
OCEAN CITY – The 16th Annual New Jersey Run For The Fallen will take Thursday, Sept. 26, in Cape May County. Ocean City’s Morvay-Miley-Cruice American Legion Post 524 has been an integral part of this event since its inception in 2009.
The New Jersey Run for the Fallen is an organization of military runners and support crew whose mission is clear and simple: to run one mile for each New Jersey active service member who has died during the GWOT (Global War on Terror.) Each mile of sweat and pain and each flag saluted, is to pay homage to one service member’s life and their family.
An initial Remembrance Ceremony will be 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at The Naval Air Station Museum, 500 Forrestal Road, Cape May Airport, NJ at 4:45 PM, followed by a buffet dinner inside the Museum for Gold Star Families and The Run Team.
On Thursday, runners will depart Sunset Beach in Cape May Point at 7:45 a.m. and run through Cape May Point, Cape May City, Lower Township, Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Sea Isle City, Strathmere and Ocean City.
After visiting the 86 Hero Markers located throughout Cape May County, a Run Team & Gold Star Family Dinner will be provided by Ocean City American Legion Post 524 at their post headquarters building, 4562 West Ave.
“Post 524 is pleased to be doing its part to pay tribute to New Jersey’s brave servicemen, servicewomen and their families,” said Ocean City Commander Bob Marzulli. “This is a unique and moving event and the public is invited to join us along the route.”
The public is invited to come out to one of the markers 30-minutes prior to the arrival of the Run Team to show appreciation for the sacrifices the military members and their families have made. For more information, contact Jack Hagan Post 524 Adjutant at (609) 304-3088.
There are 31 Hero Markers at 16 locations in Ocean City. The runners will arrive at the Ocean City Hero markers at the times shown:
3:49 p.m., Corson’s Inlet Bridge, Ocean Drive; 4:01 p.m., 5421 West Ave.; 4:13 p.m., 4603 West Ave.; 4:25 p.m., 3802 Central Ave.; 4:37 p.m., 2830 Wesley Ave.; 4:48 p.m., 2127 West Ave.; 4:56 p.m., 1639 Asbury Ave.; 5:03 p.m. Ocean City Fishing Pier, 14th and Boardwalk; 5:12 p.m., 11th and Boardwalk; 5:17 p.m., Ocean City Music Pier; 5:23 p.m., Fifth and Boardwalk; 5:26, Veterans Memorial Park, Wesley Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets; 5:44 p.m. VFW Post 6650, 15th and Bay Avenue; 5:58 p.m., 2551 Haven Ave.; 6:12 p.m., 3656 West Ave.; 6:19 p.m., American Legion Post 524, 46th and West Avenue.
For a complete list of all New Jersey Hero Markers please visit www.njrun.org