A display of boots with information of fallen Service members are set in a formation during the Fisher House Hero and Remembrance Run, Walk or Roll 8k, Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Sept. 9, 2017. The road was adorned with over 7,500 military boots decorated with American flags, name tags with a photo of the Service member, and information on the combat tour they were serving or where they were stationed. The free event was open to the public and military to honor those we have lost in the Service since Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Zachary Orr)

Photo by Sgt. Zachary Orr

Running for the fallen; Fisher House hosts Hero and Remembrance Run, Walk or Roll

18 Sep 2017 | Sgt. Zachary Orr Marine Corps Base Hawaii

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM -- While some were sleeping, thousands of others participated in the sixth annual Fisher House Hero and Remembrance Run, Walk or Roll 8-kilometer run on Ford Island aboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Sept. 9, 2017.
According to the Fisher House website, the foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving medical treatment. The 8k was another way to help the service members and families by honoring those who have made the sacrifice since 9/11.
“I wanted to raise awareness for what our mission is which is taking care of military families,” said Theresa Johnson, the Fort Hood Fisher House manager and founder of the Hero and Remembrance Run. “Everyone runs so we decided to go with that.”
Johnson said laying out the boots along the run route with photos of the fallen service member came due to losing a friend, Pfc. Timothy Vimoto, who grew up with her kids.
“I wanted to do something to honor, not only him, but all of the fallen service members,” she said. “When I started this, there was about 6,400 boots. Today, there are approximately 7,600 boots out there right now.”
Rain or shine, Johnson says the event is always held on the Saturday before 9/11 since that is the reason it started.
“I think it is important for us to remember those who came before us,” said 1st Sgt. Roland McGinnis, Headquarters and Service company first sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. “I think as a United States Marine, it is important to represent those who wore the same cloth as us and has given the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live on through their legacy.”
McGinnis said Marines typically hate running long distances when they don’t have to; not to mention, it was rainy and humid.
“Sometimes when people hit that 3-mile marker, they tend to shut down,” said McGinnis. “I think allowing us to see the boots along the way really sent the message home and make them understand they had to finish.”
McGinnis said all his Marines who participated in the run were all volunteers; no one was forced to go.
“This is my second year in a row running it,” said 1st Lt. Benjamin Griffith, the executive officer for H&S Co., 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines. “Running it this year was just as special as running it last year.”
Griffith said that seeing the “price tag” of human sacrifice is a reminder of their purpose and the why it is that we do what we do.
“I think, more than anything, it is a motivating factor for our Marines and Sailors to participate in this event. It makes it real for them and shows the sacrifices required to keep our families and all Americans safe.”
Griffith believes that the Marines and Sailors will carry that motivation through the next work ups and deployment.
“I’m going to encourage for all commanders to take their Marines or Sailors to participate in future events,” said Griffith. “I think it is a great opportunity to honor those who we lost.”
Even though the event consists of thousands of participants, Johnson still believes that more people should come out and honor the fallen.
“The run is a very small part,” said Johnson. “The run is about bringing people together. I think more people need to come out and see this; it’s a healing thing.”