Two strangers met at the Richland Mall and started talking about doing something for all soldiers.
“We met last year while our (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 3494 was at the Richland Mall doing a membership drive,” said Connie Carr. “She came up to me and said, ‘I want to do something for soldiers. Do you think we could do a walk-a-thon?’”
A year later, Carr and Krissi Lane, co-chaired the Military Services Walk-a-Thon which was held on Saturday at the track and football field of Madison Comprehensive High School. The event was sponsored by the VFW of Ohio Charities Post 3494 and many other organizations and individuals.
Even though rain dampened the walk-a-thon site and participants, there was considerable support from military families, military officials, and members of the VFW Post 3494.
Julie Wilcox was a vendor at the walk but also had a deeper reason for being there. Her son, Blake Cyrus, is currently deployed to Afghanistan. He is in the Ohio Army National Guard Unit 837th Engineer Mobile Augmentation Company.
Cyrus’s wife, Jodie, is also a part of the 1486th Transportation Unit and recently returned home from deployment.
“It just shows community support for our veterans,” Wilcox said of being at the walk-a-thon. “We really wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for our soldiers. We really wouldn’t. …I couldn’t be more proud to be a military mom.”
She said she put her son’s dog tags around her neck the day he left and won’t take them off until he returns home.
“And I get to put my arms around him,” Wilcox said as her voice quivered.
The Richland County Young Marines helped usher people around and do whatever task was needed.
“We did the Color Guard, the flags today,” said Jessica Solon, ADJ/RAV of the Young Marines. “Basically we come out to do whatever needs to be done.”
The Richland County Young Marines is a military-based group of children ages 8-18. They go to drill once a month and perform community service often, Solon said.
“They will graduate from our unit and if they go into the military they will come out a Private First Class instead of a Private,” she said.
During the opening ceremonies the National Anthem was played by the Madison High School Marching Band. The Kid’s Club at the VFW 3494 said the Pledge of Allegiance. The military flags were courtesy of AMVETs Post 26 of Mansfield. The Richland County Burial Squad played Taps and gave a 21 Gun Salute. The guest speaker was Larry Moore.
Proceeds from the walk-a-thon went to the David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic and National Guard Family Readiness Programs for the 179th Airlift Wing, the 200th Red Horse, and the 1486th Transportation Unit.
Because of the government shutdown, officials from the National Guard could not attend.
“We couldn’t have any recruiters,” Carr said. “They cannot present anything government related.”
Tony Delong, director of the Veterans Service Commission, came to the event to support and tell people of services offered by the organization.
“We have many organizations providing information about who we are to raise public awareness for veterans in support of our family readiness,” he said.
The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 21 provided a food cart for the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 3494. The Post’s Kid’s Club painted faces and there were many other vendors in attendance.
“It’s unfortunate that it rained but I want to thank all of the organizations who participated, the VA Medical Center and (others),” Delong said.
“It just shows community support for our veterans,” Julie Wilcox said of being at the walk-a-thon. “We really wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for our soldiers. We really wouldn’t. …I couldn’t be more proud to be a military mom.”
