Growing up in a military family is something that’s both fun and exciting, filled with all the adventure you could imagine; it can also be very tough, especially considering the nature of the society we live in today. Deployment is an unfortunate reality that many military families must face every day of every year. Aside from the support found within families and communities, many kids turn to extracurricular activities and sports teams (like cheerleading!) to help deal. My high school cheerleading team played a HUGE role in my life when I was dealing with having my Dad deployed on a yearlong tour to Afghanistan in 2004 (that's him in the picture on patrol near Kandahar, Afghanistan). Dozens of programs and organizations can be found nationwide to offer support for the friends and families of those serving overseas and of those lost in the Middle East. One such program I came across is called “Run for the Fallen,” which consists of a group of dedicated runners who have pledged to run (on foot) from Ft. Irwin, CA all the way across the country to the Arlington National Cemetery, located in Arlington, VA. They run in remembrance and honor of the more than 4,080 soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq and the 30,000+ soldiers who have returned home injured. The run began on June 14th, 2008 in CA. Every mile they run will be dedicated to a fallen soldier and marked by an American flag and sign card. At the conclusion of this event on August 24th, the team will have created a visible trail from the west coast to the east coast demonstrating the ‘journey of the fallen soldier' and ending at the final resting place for many of these brave men and women. The organizers of this event are encouraging people all over the country to get involved in the conclusion of this cross-country occasion. The final day will be dedicated to all those lost in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. You can organize an event in your hometown, or just gather a few friends and family members together and run one mile (or two or three) in honor of a specific soldier, or in honor of them all. This is a great project to get your cheer team involved in! Whether or not you or anybody on your team knows someone who was or is deployed, this is a good way to get your squad involved in a national effort to raise awareness and offer support to the thousands who have been affected by the war. Plan to run with your team and coaches; you could even get other athletes from your school or all-star gym involved. The folks at "Run for the Fallen" are also creating a documentary film; you can shoot some footage of your squad (or whoever you team up with) running, and send it in for possible inclusion in the film. Not only is this for an amazing cause, it’s also a great way to keep in shape and get ready for the upcoming season. There’s a ton of information on the website, including a blog to keep you updated on the team’s current whereabouts and progress: www.runforthefallen.org

If any of you decide to get your team involved, or if you've participated in similar events I'd love to hear about them! Drop me a line: aneason@americancheerleader.com

Peace, love, and running shoes!

Alex :)

Photo courtesy of American Forces Press Service