Event to remember fallen heroes with Idaho ties

POST FALLS - The Run for the Fallen Idaho offers a chance to honor military personnel with Idaho ties who died while on active duty.

The nonprofit will hold a free memorial run/walk on Saturday at the Post Falls High track, 2832 E. Poleline Road, from 8-11:15 a.m.

Photos and biographies of 86 military personnel who died while serving in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn will line the track. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

"Some people want another chance beyond Veterans Day or Memorial Day to say thank you," said organizer Jessica Tingley from Bonners Ferry, whose brother, Sgt. Joshua Kirk, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.

"This is also an opportunity to educate people. Sometimes people only hear about (military deaths) with a 30-second blip. It's been an education for me as well, finding out about so many of the heroes from Idaho."

Tingley said the goal is for participants to walk or run a mile, but they don't have to.

"Or you can just be there and show your support," she said.

The event will be divided into four 45-minute segments.

Tingley said 23 Gold Star families - those who had a relative die during active duty - are expected to attend.

There will be drinks available and T-shirts for a donation.

"This is not meant as a fundraiser," Tingley said. "It's an opportunity for the public to read about the heroes."

The nonprofit started in 2008 and this will be its third memorial event. The first was held in Bonners Ferry last August and the second in Pocatello in May.

"My vision is to bring one to each of the hometowns so everyone has a chance to participate," Tingley said, adding that the 86 honored represent 60 different towns.

Tingley said the nonprofit started out by honoring 44 who died, but the number expanded when residents heard about the effort.

Most of those honored were born in Idaho, lived here or were stationed in the state.

"We don't want people to just think that 86 people died and that's sad, but we hope at least one of the stories resonates to where they don't forget," Tingley said. "That's our goal."

Information: www.runforthefallenidaho.org