U.S. Department of Defense

'Run for the Fallen' Ends at Arlington National Cemetary

Shannon Cleary and Jon Bellona hug Aug. 24, 2008, at Arlington National Cemetery on the final day of the "Run for the Fallen," a memorial run honoring each servicemember killed while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cleary's brother, Army 1st Lt. Michael Clear, was Bellona's college roommate and his inspiration to create the memorial run. This year's Run for the Fallen began June 14, 2008 outside the gates of Fort Irwin, Calif.

Jon Bellona, far left, leads a group of friends and family members of fallen servicemembers to Arlington National Cemetery's Section 60 on Aug. 24, 2008. The act of placing carnations and small glass stones on their loved ones' grave markers concluded "Run for the Fallen," a memorial run that began June 14, 2008, outside the gates of Fort Irwin, Calif., and covered more than 4,000 miles.

Family members and friends of servicemembers killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom pay their respects as an U.S. Army bugler plays "Taps" in Arlington National Cemetery's Section 60 on Aug. 24, 2008. The tribute took place at the conclusion of "Run for the Fallen," a memorial run that began June 14 outside the gates of Fort Irwin, Calif.

Shannon Cleary, center, kisses her mother, Marianne Cleary, Aug. 24, 2008, during the last few moments of "Run for the Fallen," a memorial run in memory of Cleary's brother, Army 1st Lt. Michael Cleary. Jack Flanagan, Marianne Cleary’s grandson, also participated in the last day of the living memorial that began June 14, outside the gates of Fort Irwin, Calif., and covered more than 4,000 miles in honor of fallen Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.

Dakota Linck, 9 years old, left, his mother Debi, and father, Rick, place carnations at the gravesite of their brother and son, Army Staff Sgt. Henry W. Linck, in Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 24, 2008. The Lincks traveled to Washington from Lebanon, Tenn., to participate in the final day of "Run for the Fallen," a memorial run honoring servicemembers killed while participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The run began in California on Flag Day, June 14, 2008.

Heather Jutras Glasgow grieves at her brother's grave in Arlington National Cemetery, Aug. 24, 2008. She, her mother, father and younger brother participated in the last day of "Run for the Fallen," a cross-country memorial event to honor troops who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cleal Bradford waits for the rest of his family in Arlington National Cemetery's Section 60 on Aug. 24, 2008. He and his family had traveled from Blanding, Utah, to participate in the last day of "Run for the Fallen," a memorial run in honor of military members killed while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bradford’s grandson, Nation Winder was killed in Iraq a little more than a year ago.

Shannon Cleary and Jon Bellona hug Aug. 24, 2008, at Arlington National Cemetery on the final day of the "Run for the Fallen," a memorial run honoring each servicemember killed while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cleary's brother, Army 1st Lt. Michael Clear, was Bellona's college roommate and his inspiration to create the memorial run. This year's Run for the Fallen began June 14, 2008 outside the gates of Fort Irwin, Calif.
Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley