Sunday, May 24, 2009

Texas Run For the Fallen

Last summer there was a huge event called "Run For the Fallen" where participants ran 1 mile for each of the Fallen Heroes from Iraq and Afghanistan. They ran over 4000 miles from California all the way to Washington, DC. This year, other organizers put together smaller versions of this. The Texas Trail of Heroes was organized to honor all of the fallen from Texas, and they were nice enough to run Byron's mile through Pflugerville. My family all got together to participate - running, walking or driving. We were escorted by the Pflugerville Police Department from Byron's Post Office (OK - so it belongs to the United States, but it has Byron's name on it!) all the way to the Fallen Warrior Memorial in Pfluger Park. That was actually a 2-mile run - 1 mile for Byron and the other for Capt Sean Lyerly. I only walked a portion of it, then cheated and got into a car. I was so proud of Colin, Grayson and David - they ran/walked the entire way!

Mom decorated her car!
This is the flag that they posted for Byron at the entrance of the Post Office.

David, running with Lauren (one of the organizers).


Grayson and Colin


My cousin, Emily, and her dog.


Colin and Jenn


Me and David

Mom, with the statue that was made in Byron's image.

My dad showing Shauna Byron's statue. We were so excited to meet Shauna because she ran Byron's mile in Colorado last year on the original cross-country run. She was so sweet and excited to meet us, too!

Mom, Grayson and I

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Freedom Journey


In December of 2006, just 2 years after Byron died in Iraq, we decided to take a "Freedom Journey." We spent 3weeks on a road trip through the eastern US - from Austin east to Savannah, then all the way north to New England, and back a little inland to Texas. We traveled over 6000 miles in an effort to see our beautiful country and understand what Byron sacrificed his life for. We drove scenic routes, through small towns and big cities, stopping at places that held history in shaping our nation. We stopped at Veteran's Memorials, National Cemeteries, historical monuments and some of the most beautiful places in America. In each place, we left a "Freedom Rock," a smooth stone that had Byron's name and KIA date on one side, and said "Freedom Isn't Free" on the other. It was our way of taking Byron with us and leaving a bit of him in each special place. This experience was so healing for us, and truly one of the most memorable and special events of our entire lives. Here are our favorite pictures from the Freedom Journey.