News

September 9, 2008

WVIA focuses on Run for Fallen

Times Leader staff

WVIA-TV Channel 44’s “State of Pennsylvania” will feature members of the Run for the Fallen cross-country relay team, which honors soldiers killed in Iraq.

The live show will air 7 p.m. Thursday.

The cross-country endeavor began on Flag Day, June 14, in front of the Painted Rocks at Fort Irwin, Calif., and ended at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 24.

Runners from 35 states and four countries, including the Philippines, Brazil, Tanzania and England, covered 4,462 miles to honor the lives of service men and women killed in the war.

Run for the Fallen has also raised money to support organizations that help wounded veterans as well as their families. They include 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary Memorial Fund, Wounded Warrior Project, Yellow Ribbon Fund and Helping Unite Gold Star Survivors.

“The run was a symbolic memorial. For each mile run a flag and personalized card was placed along the route,” said Jon Bellona, Run for the Fallen’s director and founder who was the college roommate of Lt. Cleary of Dallas, who was killed in action in December 2005.

“While each flag represented a soldier who has fallen, the run itself stood as one large stitch spanning the width of the nation, coast to coast.”

Joining Bellona on Thursday’s show, which will be hosted by Suzanne Kelly, will be cross-country runners Erin Kavanagh, the fianc�e of Cleary, and John McKay, writer and cameraman for the film’s documentary, “Film for the Fallen.”

To be a part of WVIA’s live theater audience, go to www.wvia.org, e-mail kathryndavies@wvia.org or call 570-602-1150.

Admission is free with seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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