On Sunday, Camp Johnson upheld the annual Vermont Remembers Race, a tradition honoring the fallen heroes of the National Guard, including those lost to the terrorist attacks that happened nearly 22 years ago at the World Trade Center. The run began at exactly 9:11 a.m. at the base, recognizing those who made the ultimate sacrifice and bringing together family and friends who are left to honor their memories.Vickie McLaughlin was watching the race from the sidelines. She told NBC5 she was cheering for everyone.McLaughlin wore a yellow race shirt, signifying that she is part of a gold star family.McLaughlin said her son paid the ultimate sacrifice while he was serving in Iraq with the Vermont National Guard.”I miss him dearly,” said McLaughlin.Sunday’s run was held in honor of the brave men and women who have paid the same price for their service. The event welcomed athletes of all ages and abilities to run and remember.”I started running in my late 40s, actually,” said Phyllis Paro, a friend of McLaughlin and a member of the Vermont Blue Star Mother’s Group. “I started running when my oldest son was deployed to Iraq, kept it up when my two younger sons got deployed to Afghanistan.”Now, Paro also runs with Wear Blue, Run to Remember.Others running in the event were current and former members of the Guard, their families, and others like Paro who wanted to show support.”Wear Blue, Run to Remember runs to honor the fallen, the families, the fighting,” said Paro. “But, I run for four of my son’s friends; they are my why. They keep me going when my legs are tired, when I want to give up.”The event drew over 100 runners, all with different connections to fallen heroes. They were brought together to keep the memory alive, and honor those we’ve lost and thank all who serve.”I have yet to ‘do not finish’ in a race that I’ve run for these boys,” said Paro.For McLaughlin, it’s one more way to remember her son and all of the others.”He’s not forgotten,” said McLaughlin with a pause, repeating that “he’s not forgotten.”
On Sunday, Camp Johnson upheld the annual Vermont Remembers Race, a tradition honoring the fallen heroes of the National Guard, including those lost to the terrorist attacks that happened nearly 22 years ago at the World Trade Center.
The run began at exactly 9:11 a.m. at the base, recognizing those who made the ultimate sacrifice and bringing together family and friends who are left to honor their memories.
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Vickie McLaughlin was watching the race from the sidelines. She told NBC5 she was cheering for everyone.
McLaughlin wore a yellow race shirt, signifying that she is part of a gold star family.
McLaughlin said her son paid the ultimate sacrifice while he was serving in Iraq with the Vermont National Guard.
“I miss him dearly,” said McLaughlin.
Sunday’s run was held in honor of the brave men and women who have paid the same price for their service. The event welcomed athletes of all ages and abilities to run and remember.
“I started running in my late 40s, actually,” said Phyllis Paro, a friend of McLaughlin and a member of the Vermont Blue Star Mother’s Group. “I started running when my oldest son was deployed to Iraq, kept it up when my two younger sons got deployed to Afghanistan.”
Now, Paro also runs with Wear Blue, Run to Remember.
Others running in the event were current and former members of the Guard, their families, and others like Paro who wanted to show support.
“Wear Blue, Run to Remember runs to honor the fallen, the families, the fighting,” said Paro. “But, I run for four of my son’s friends; they are my why. They keep me going when my legs are tired, when I want to give up.”
The event drew over 100 runners, all with different connections to fallen heroes. They were brought together to keep the memory alive, and honor those we’ve lost and thank all who serve.
“I have yet to ‘do not finish’ in a race that I’ve run for these boys,” said Paro.
For McLaughlin, it’s one more way to remember her son and all of the others.
“He’s not forgotten,” said McLaughlin with a pause, repeating that “he’s not forgotten.”
