More than 1,200 runners are expected to participate in the first-ever Long Island MacArthur 5K Run for Veterans on the airstrip in Ronkonkoma on Saturday.
The festivities will start at 8 a.m. with opening ceremonies and the race will get underway promptly at 9 a.m. Organizers will donate 95 percent of the funds raised to veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, joblessness, homelessness and other post-combat conditions.
Runners will include a coalition of veterans, active military, parents of soldiers, aviation companies, defense companies, large corporate sponsors, small local businesses, runners and regular folks from all over Long Island, as well as town and airport officials.
A 25-year-old Navy veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom will walk to honor her Marine Vietnam-era veteran dad. One Iraq veteran will run in 60 pounds of combat gear to honor the memory of a fellow vet who died of PTSD-related causes. The youngest participant will be a 14-year-old girl pushed in wheelchair by her mom.
The run is organized by Long Island 9-1-1 Veterans, which provides financial assistance as well as help with food and clothing; rent and mortgage payments; utility payments; prescription drug and medical co-payments; car repairs and a variety of other short-term financial needs that can occur as veterans re-establish civilian lives. Go to www.911Veterans.com for more information.
It is also organized by The Fraternal Order of Police. the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members and over 2,000 lodges. Go to www.fop.net for more information.
For more information about the 5K run, visit www.flylima.com/5k-run