The Waco Wounded Veterans Run will hold its 3rd annual 5k race on Saturday at 8 a.m., at Lake Waco Dam. Baylor University’s detachment 810 Air Force ROTC cadet wing and Arnold Air Society James Connally Squadron will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project.
The cost to participate in the run is $25 for military members and students and $30 for anyone else participating. Anyone wanting to participate can register online at their website, or on Saturday at the race.
According to the Wounded Warrior Project”” website their mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors and their vision is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history. In addition, their purpose is to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members.
Frisco senior and Air Force ROTC member Kimberly Bray, who helped organize the run, said the wounded warrior project is an organization that means a lot to her and other military members who already given so much.
“It’s an awesome organization because it gives back to people who have already sacrificed so much,” Bray said.
At last year’s run there were around 80 participants but this year they are expecting to have anywhere from 100 to 200 people participating. Top finishers of the run can look forward to medals with their names engraved on them.
Dallas junior and Air Force ROTC member Kaitlyn Po, who will be participating in Saturday’s race, said a way for people to get involved in the wounded warrior project is to participate in Saturday’s race.
“I think the best way to get involved is actually doing a run, I actually participated in one in Houston a couple years ago,” Po said. “Disabled veterans will actually come out and do the race and they have a separate race, one that is disabled and one that is regular. Even disabled veterans get involved with the project and it’s really cool being able to talk to them.”
Overland Park, Kan., senior and Air Force ROTC member Trent Fleener, who has run in the race every year, said participants should come out to Saturday’s race to show appreciation for our military and their efforts.
“It’s a great way to show the military and the veteran community that you are supporting them and what they have been through and you are acknowledging their sacrifice and everything they have done for you,” Fleener said. “The wounded warrior project, to me, is an organization that gives back to American veterans, specifically the wounded veterans both their personal lives and their family.”
