STONE HARBOR – New Jersey Run for the Fallen Sept. 26 went from Cape May Point to Ocean City. It stopped to honor two service members here, one before the bridge in Middle Township and another at the Avalon border.
Along the way, every few miles and in between, runners stopped at honor markers to pay homage to fallen New Jersey service members. There are about 200 statewide, according to the New Jersey Run for the Fallen website.
Part of the trek wended its way north on Ocean Drive where, just west of the Ocean Drive bridge, the runners paid respects to Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Walkup Jr., U.S. Air Force. The 25-year-old was a Millville resident who died in action Nov. 23, 2003, Kapisa, Afghanistan.
After that honor, they crossed the bridge toward Stephen Ludlam American Legion Post 331.
At that solemn spot, the runners honored Marine Corps Capt. Ryan K. Iannelli, of Clarksboro. He was 27 when he died in action Sept. 28, 2011 in Operation Enduring Freedom. His parents Ken and Donna Iannelli were greeted by the runners who had saluted Iannelli minutes prior.
Heading north, the runners went up Second Avenue to the Stone Harbor Firehouse where they honored Army Capt. Gregory Dalessio of Cherry Hill. He was 30 years old when he died during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Stone Harbor Elementary students greeted the runners and sang “God Bless America” as they waved American flags.
Dalessio’s mother, Maureen Pagano, and stepfather, Tom Pagano, were there to hear the tribute paid by the children and the runners.
From there, the group of runners went to the Avalon-Stone Harbor border where they paid tribute to Marine Corps Cpl. Terrence P. Allen. The Pennsauken resident was 21 when he died Sept. 15, 2007, in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Greeting the flag-bearing runners, were Kevin Coyle, Russ Migeot, and Art Faint, members of Post 331.
After that, the solemn line wound its way northward to Ocean City where shortly before 6 p.m. the runners ended their day with dinner at American Legion Post 524.
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