Remembering the fallen heroes
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For six consecutive years, runners and walkers have turned out consistently on the Greene River Trail to raise money for two fallen soldiers from the area.
Later this month, the seventh annual Heroes Run/Walk will be held in honor of Army Spc. Gregory Cox of Carmichaels and Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips of Spraggs. Both men were killed in Humvee accidents in Iraq; Cox, 21, died in September 2004, and Phillips died in February 2006 at age 27.
Race proceeds benefit memorial funds established in the men’s names. The Spc. Gregory A. Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund assists Greene County high school graduates entering the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps or the fields of public safety or public service. The Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips Memorial Fund provides support for the computer-aided drafting program at Greene County Career and Technology Center. Both funds are being handled by Community Foundation of Greene County. Race proceeds also help fund the cost of transportation for Greene County veterans receiving treatment at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System clinic.
The race will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the trail starting point is at the Greene Cove Yacht Club in Millsboro and the midway point is the Crucible Ferry in Rices Landing. The trail winds up in Cumberland Township.
It is always good for the soul to see that the number of active participants remains constant or increases slightly each year. Last year, there were more than 200 walkers and runners and approximately 110 “sleep-ins,” folks who paid a registration fee but did not attend the race. And most important, more than $15,000 was raised.
We would be remiss if we did not salute the employees of the Central Greene School District, whose employees and family members registered for the race as runners, walkers and “sleep-ins,” raising $2,600 for the event.
So, this year we would like to see the other four school districts in the county to register and see which school district has the biggest turnout.
While the recreation department does many good things to serve the public, especially offering programs for children, this event stands above the rest. It is gratifying to see the county recognize the service of these two young men and their families and we are confident that come Sept. 21, Greene County can improve on 2012’s numbers.