Sixty-five Connecticut service members have paid the ultimate price fighting for freedom since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
On Saturday, people ran in remembrance of those military members. The Run for the Fallen, now in its seventh year, saw participation double.
Some ran one lap, others ran all eight, which added up to 65 kilometers, in honor of the 65 fallen service members.
Deb Smith volunteered for the first time, in honor of her son Tony D’Agostino.
“He gave the ultimate sacrifice. I’m so proud of him, and it’s the life that he chose to serve his country,” said Smith.
He was killed in action in 2003, when his Chinook helicopter was shot down over Fallujah.
"This is very emotional for me today. These are the moments that I’m happy that people have not forgotten, the soldiers who have passed, but it’s emotional for me because I still miss him,” said Smith.
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The Connecticut Run for the Fallen moved to the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial this year, which was dedicated after the last lap of the run.
“We run for the 65 fallen from Connecticut and the memorial is a living memorial for the 65 so it just made sense,” explained the run’s assistant director Barbara Michalek.
Before each of the eight laps, the names of Connecticut service members killed since the September 11th terrorist attacks were read out loud.
“The focus is on the fallen and supporting and remembering them,” said Michalek.
The time on the clock didn’t matter as runners, carrying American flags, paused in front of each hometown hero’s picture to pay their respects.
It was an overwhelming moment for Smith as she stood next to her son’s marker greeting the runners.
“It just felt so special, that he’s not forgotten. That he’s in everybody’s hearts, not just mine,” she said through tears.
