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Photo by Donita Clausen click image to enlarge

By DONETTA GODSEY
Courier Staff Writer

A lone jogger tops a hill on U.S. 160 just east of Winfield. The beautiful Sunday sunrise chases away the darkness and begins to light her way. The runner is Shannon Cleary of San Diego. She's on a mission -- especially today.

Shannon is part of a team participating in the 4,000-mile cross-country "Run for the Fallen" relay. The run was inspired by the sacrifice of military friends and family members whose lives were lost in Iraq.

Jon Bellona, director and founder of Run for the Fallen, developed the idea for the run after his best friend and college roommate -- and Shannon's brother -- 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary was killed in Iraq in December 2005.

"We're running for Mike," Bellona said of the Sunday run.

The "Run for the Fallen" relay started June 14 in Ft. Irwin, Calif., and will conclude Aug. 24 at Arlington National Cemetery.

The relay team is covering one mile in honor of every service member killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 4,000-mile trek spans from the Painted Rocks in California and across 13 states to Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington, D.C.

Each mile of the cross-country run is marked with an American flag and personalized sign card bearing the name, age, hometown and date of death of a fallen service member.

The runners start their journey each morning around 6 and usually complete their miles by midday. Team members sometimes run individually or frequently join into a group of three to five runners. Other team members lead the way in vehicles as they attach a flag and sign to each mile marker along the route.

In addition to Cleary and Bellona, about 10 other relay runners arrived in Winfield on Saturday afternoon. They spent the night at the Econolodge, whose owner said he was happy and privileged to host the team.

Sgt. Jerry Mills Jr., of Arkansas City, is one of the soldiers being honored. He was killed in Iraq Nov. 29, 2005. The runners placed a marker honoring Mills a mile south of Douglass.

Another area soldier that was honored Thursday by the cross-country runners is Sgt. Evan Parker, of South Haven. A marker was placed for him two miles west of Medford, Okla.

On Sunday morning, the team headed toward Longton.

Shannon jogged to the flag and sign card on mile marker 325 east of Winfield. She wore a shirt with her brother Michael's picture on it. She paused in her mission just long enough to share a few thoughts.

"This is a very special day for me because Michael's sign will be attached in about 30 miles," Shannon said. "It should be here in the beautiful heartland of America because Michael had a very big heart."

Presently 4,116 flags and signs are scheduled to be posted.

"If any more service people have been killed by the time we get to Arlington, we may have to make a few extra loops," Shannon said solemnly.

After a quick, sweaty hug she jogged off, heading east as the sun continued to rise.

Above: This flag was placed near Medford, Okla., in honor of Evan Parker, a South Haven resident who was killed in Iraq in 2005.