CHARLESTON, Ill. (WAND) — Families and friends of fallen soldiers experience grief every day. This weekend the Charleston community honored fallen soldiers during the Run for the Fallen.
Organizer Carolyn Coyd has experienced loss of her own and wants to uplift families.
"For the families of people that have lost in these conflicts, these conflicts will never end for them because they've had this loss, and that loved one is going to be missing from their lives forever," Coyd said.
This tradition has continued for 16 years and Coyd said it's different from other events because it is solely a memorial event.
Participants grab a flag, complete a mile at their own pace, plant their flag in the ground and ring the bell. In the unfortunate case that someone has lost more than one loved one, many complete more than one mile.
Veteran Lindsey Shellenbarger lost a friend who she served with in Afghanistan.
"We do this every year to never forget the ones we've lost," Shellenbarger said.
The Uhles family lost Drew Uhles, a soldier who passed in 2004 in Iraq. Two of Uhles' siblings ran a mile for their brother, and his parents were there in support.
Two Uhles children were in Iraq at the same time, and their father would send them letters.
"I would always say, you know, when you see the flag, it's your flag. It's our flag. And when you hear the national anthem, it's yours, and ours. I didn't mention Taps. I didn't think we'd ever have to see Taps being done for our kids," Dan Uhles said.
Taps is a military call in respect honoring the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.
"Until you've walked in their boots. You know, it's a real, real life opening experience," Melissa Uhles said.
Families and friends walk with their grief every day, but they are grateful for this chance to walk a mile to honor the memories of their loved ones.
For more information on fallen soldiers, you can visit the Illinois Run for the Fallen page.
