thedrifter
06-04-07, 06:24 AM
Big Bear Lake run carries fallen Marine's name
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
The tributes for Jared Landaker haven't slowed in the four months since the Marine's rescue helicopter was shot down over Iraq.
Letters still come to his hometown of Big Bear City from as far as Finland, while his high school has created a memorial, and a stretch of a local highway may soon bear his name.
But the largest honor may ultimately come from his own family.
Spearheaded by his parents, Laura and Joe, the Jared Landaker Memorial Run for Freedom is scheduled for Sept. 29 in Big Bear Lake.
The Landakers hope to raise thousands of dollars for injured veterans or those who simply return home and face challenges.
What will begin as a simultaneous 5K and 10K run around Snow Summit Mountain Resort eventually may become a traveling event that stops in the hometowns of the seven servicemen and women who were killed Feb. 7 when their Marine helicopter was attacked in Anbar province.
The six other victims hailed from Richland, Wash.; El Paso and Beaseley, Texas; Swampscott, Mass.; Toms River, N.J.; and Federalsburg, Md.
"If there's a returnee having difficulty in that town," said Laura Landaker, "this would be a perfect way to pay them back. We could set up a scholarship for them or even for their kids."
Laura Landaker had been thinking of holding a fundraising event for injured Marines known as Wounded Warriors even before her son was killed at age 25. But when the first lieutenant with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, known as the Purple Foxes, lost his life, her commitment deepened.
"It's just been overwhelming to see the love," she said. "People have been fantastic."
To handle the logistics, the Landakers hired an event planner and promoter from Lake Arrowhead. Erin Walters said commitments for teams have been coming in -- including members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Marines at Jared Landaker's Camp Pendleton base. About 500 runners are expected, she said.
Numerous sponsors have signed on to donate trash cans, portable toilets and T-shirts for runners.
"People generally tend to come out when there's a good cause," Walters said. "They're just jumping at the opportunity."
With a $25 registration fee, the run would generate thousands of dollars, not counting the numerous additional donations that are expected for the Seven Stars Foundation. The nonprofit got its name from the seven victims of the copter attack.
Anyone interested in participating or donating may e-mail Walters at walterstime@hotmail.com.
Reach Paul LaRocco at 909-806-3064 or plarocco@PE.com
Ellie
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
The tributes for Jared Landaker haven't slowed in the four months since the Marine's rescue helicopter was shot down over Iraq.
Letters still come to his hometown of Big Bear City from as far as Finland, while his high school has created a memorial, and a stretch of a local highway may soon bear his name.
But the largest honor may ultimately come from his own family.
Spearheaded by his parents, Laura and Joe, the Jared Landaker Memorial Run for Freedom is scheduled for Sept. 29 in Big Bear Lake.
The Landakers hope to raise thousands of dollars for injured veterans or those who simply return home and face challenges.
What will begin as a simultaneous 5K and 10K run around Snow Summit Mountain Resort eventually may become a traveling event that stops in the hometowns of the seven servicemen and women who were killed Feb. 7 when their Marine helicopter was attacked in Anbar province.
The six other victims hailed from Richland, Wash.; El Paso and Beaseley, Texas; Swampscott, Mass.; Toms River, N.J.; and Federalsburg, Md.
"If there's a returnee having difficulty in that town," said Laura Landaker, "this would be a perfect way to pay them back. We could set up a scholarship for them or even for their kids."
Laura Landaker had been thinking of holding a fundraising event for injured Marines known as Wounded Warriors even before her son was killed at age 25. But when the first lieutenant with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, known as the Purple Foxes, lost his life, her commitment deepened.
"It's just been overwhelming to see the love," she said. "People have been fantastic."
To handle the logistics, the Landakers hired an event planner and promoter from Lake Arrowhead. Erin Walters said commitments for teams have been coming in -- including members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Marines at Jared Landaker's Camp Pendleton base. About 500 runners are expected, she said.
Numerous sponsors have signed on to donate trash cans, portable toilets and T-shirts for runners.
"People generally tend to come out when there's a good cause," Walters said. "They're just jumping at the opportunity."
With a $25 registration fee, the run would generate thousands of dollars, not counting the numerous additional donations that are expected for the Seven Stars Foundation. The nonprofit got its name from the seven victims of the copter attack.
Anyone interested in participating or donating may e-mail Walters at walterstime@hotmail.com.
Reach Paul LaRocco at 909-806-3064 or plarocco@PE.com
Ellie