Dozens Turn out for Spartyka Wounded Warrior 5K in Groton

In Groton on Saturday, people laced up their running shoes to raise money for wounded warriors.

“My uncle, my grandfather, my dad all served. I feel like you have to give back for them taking that risk,” said 18-year-old David Tacey of Portland.

Tacey was the first to cross the finish line of the Spartyka Wounded Warrior 5K. Spartyka’s founder, an active member of the Navy, says the money raised from the race helps wounded veterans across the country.

“We just moved a homeless veteran into an apartment the other day. He was homeless for three years and we got him housing, and now we’re in the process of trying to get him a job and get him up on his feet,” said Jimi Partyka

One hundred people pounded the pavement in Groton’s Bluff Point State Park Saturday morning. Before the race, they had a special ceremony to honor the “Warrior of the Day,” SFC Micah Wellintukonis, Windsor. He spent 17 years in the Army. On his third deployment he was hit by a suicide bomb.

“I woke up from a medically induced coma at Walter Reed, had to be resuscitated twice,” said Wellintukonis.

“Lots of races everyone’s cheering each other on, but this is something more you know. Everyone’s been through the same struggle here,” said Tacey.

Besides helping our wounded warriors return to life at home, Partyka makes sure to take time out at each race to honor a member of the military who didn’t make it back. The family of Suffield’s Sam Mercouriou received a special flag in honor of his service. Mercouriou was killed during training, six months after joining the Army National Guard out of high school.

“It means a lot. They get very emotional. The biggest thing to them is that they want to know that their loved one is remembered and that people aren’t going to forget them,” said Gold Star Family Coordinator Cliff Paquette.

The flag was carried onto the course by Mercouriou’s mother, as runners raced off in recognition of his and every veteran’s service.

“It’s absolutely awesome. You get a group of Americans coming together. There’s no party or religion behind it. It’s just supporting our veterans and our military,” added Wellintukonis.

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