McKeesport 5K honored ‘fallen heroes’ and veterans

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
As participants of a 5K in McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park made their journey to the finish line Saturday, they were reminded by name placards why they were running or walking in the race.
Organizer Tony Aubrey said those participants were at the second annual Operation Vet NOW Inc. Vet Connect 5K run & 1-mile walk “to remember and honor our fallen heroes and to thank our veterans.”
Renzie Park was filled with 120 participants — 90 runners and 30 walkers —for the event, and those people were participating to honor 24 fallen veterans with local ties.
Aubrey is executive director of Operation Vet NOW, a national nonprofit veterans support organization developed to focus on the health and wellness of all U.S. veterans — regardless of the era in which they served.
Aubrey and event volunteers came up with an idea to help remind participants why they were breaking a sweat: every 23 steps a runner or walker took on their journey to the finish line, they could look up and see the name of a veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

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