thedrifter
08-10-08, 05:01 AM
August 10, 2008
Runners pay tribute to Marine killed in Iraq
Participants in Memorial Challenge retrace Jerabek's steps
By Sara Boyd
sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com
HOBART — Though it has been more than four years since his death, Pfc. Ryan Jerabek's presence was evident throughout the Marine's namesake Memorial Challenge on Saturday morning.
It was heard through his jingling dog tags, worn by his younger brother Lance Cpl. Nick Jerabek and older brother Aaron Jerabek. It was seen in the hundreds of T-shirts honoring his name. And it was felt in every step the participants took — a tribute to the route Ryan Jerabek ran every morning in preparation for boot camp.
As more than 1,000 participants awaited the start of the third annual four-mile run Saturday, it was this spirit that Hobart Village President Rich Heidel urged each runner to remember.
"With every one of our steps today, we retrace his steps and honor his memory," he said. "We are to remember that our sons and daughters … were willing to protect something more precious than their own lives. That's the theme today: sacrifice, which is what true patriotism is."
Jerabek and 11 other Marines were killed in 2004 in an ambush in Iraq.
For a number of participants — including more than 100 from the military, this was more than just a race. Airmen at the Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, were connected through a live feed to synchronize their own Jerabek Challenge.
Last year's top female runner, Rachel Kaminski, said it makes a person feel a sense of honor.
"It's something that really affects you," she said. "When you get up to the starting line, when they sing the national anthem, it really makes you reflect on the big picture — what the soldiers in our area do for us. You take a lot from it."
Sure, it's good practice for this year's winner, Matt Mroczynski — who finished at about 20 minutes flat — and his upcoming cross-country season, but he said he really just runs it for the Jerabeks.
Seeing those past participants, and new faces to the run, makes all the hard work worth it for Rita Jerabek, Ryan's mother.
"Just getting here and seeing all the enthusiasm of all the people of the community and everyone working together is very uplifting," she said. "It's all so positive and that just keeps me going."
Ellie
Runners pay tribute to Marine killed in Iraq
Participants in Memorial Challenge retrace Jerabek's steps
By Sara Boyd
sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com
HOBART — Though it has been more than four years since his death, Pfc. Ryan Jerabek's presence was evident throughout the Marine's namesake Memorial Challenge on Saturday morning.
It was heard through his jingling dog tags, worn by his younger brother Lance Cpl. Nick Jerabek and older brother Aaron Jerabek. It was seen in the hundreds of T-shirts honoring his name. And it was felt in every step the participants took — a tribute to the route Ryan Jerabek ran every morning in preparation for boot camp.
As more than 1,000 participants awaited the start of the third annual four-mile run Saturday, it was this spirit that Hobart Village President Rich Heidel urged each runner to remember.
"With every one of our steps today, we retrace his steps and honor his memory," he said. "We are to remember that our sons and daughters … were willing to protect something more precious than their own lives. That's the theme today: sacrifice, which is what true patriotism is."
Jerabek and 11 other Marines were killed in 2004 in an ambush in Iraq.
For a number of participants — including more than 100 from the military, this was more than just a race. Airmen at the Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, were connected through a live feed to synchronize their own Jerabek Challenge.
Last year's top female runner, Rachel Kaminski, said it makes a person feel a sense of honor.
"It's something that really affects you," she said. "When you get up to the starting line, when they sing the national anthem, it really makes you reflect on the big picture — what the soldiers in our area do for us. You take a lot from it."
Sure, it's good practice for this year's winner, Matt Mroczynski — who finished at about 20 minutes flat — and his upcoming cross-country season, but he said he really just runs it for the Jerabeks.
Seeing those past participants, and new faces to the run, makes all the hard work worth it for Rita Jerabek, Ryan's mother.
"Just getting here and seeing all the enthusiasm of all the people of the community and everyone working together is very uplifting," she said. "It's all so positive and that just keeps me going."
Ellie