The New Jersey run for the fallen started in Cape May Sunset Beach on September 21st and continued until September 24th, where it ended on the grounds of the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial at Holmdel.
This is the 15th Annual New Jersey Run for the Fallen and its goal is to remember, a team of military members from Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst and other locations across the US and for people to come together and embark on a 225- plus mile journey to honor every New Jersey service member who died in support of the Global War on Terror.
Every single mile is dedicated to a NJ hero and their family members. At each mile, there is something called a hero marker, which is the endpoint of a mile with a prominent person, position and also painted on the road thus acting as the “gathering point” for that Hero’s Family, Friends, and comrades.
Some names that are listed on the home page of njrftf.org are Cpl Justin Major, PO2 Jonathan Lesko, FN Jeffery M. Svoboda, Capt Ryan K. Lannelli, Pfc. Richard A. Mazzeo, Cpl. Jonathan G. Cohen, SPC Siemon Hunte, LCpl Christopher B. Cosgrove III, and SrA Kcey Elena Ruiz.
Xochil Ramirez, Coordinator of Student Support and Veteran Services, said, “The NJ Run for the Fallen started back in 2010 and currently a team of service members from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst run over 225-plus+ miles across New Jersey starting in Cape May and finishing in Holmdel at the Gold Star Monument located at the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum (near the PNC Arts Center). Runners will stop at designated Hero Markers along the way where folks will be waiting along the way where folks will be waiting alongside Gold Star Families to be presented with a flag and personalized card from the run team.”
Ramirez continued explained that here at Monmouth, the family of LCpl Christopher Cosgrove has been coming to Monmouth she believes since 2016 and when Ramirez first started here at Monmouth in August 2021 Dorthy Clearly Director Of Tutoring Services informed her about the long-standing event and she was happy to encourage Monmouth military-connected students to show up and support this cause.
She goes on to say that the continuous success at Monmouth University is attributed to Clearly who has been a strong advocate for veterans and military-connected students.
“When I first started at Monmouth in August 2021, Dorothy informed me about this long-standing event and I was happy to encourage our military-connected students to show up and support this cause. Its continued success here at Monmouth can be attributed to Dorothy Cleary, the Director of Tutoring Services. She’s been such a strong advocate for veterans and military-connected students here on campus and has ensured this event for LCpl Cosgrove’s legacy lives on,” Ramirez explained.
Monmouth has contributed to this in the past and even to this year’s event. Last year, the Student Veterans Association and MU Peer Tutors were able to fundraise over $230 at their bake sale and this year with the help of Tau Delta Phi (TDP) Fraternity, SVA & TDP were able to fundraise over $500 towards the event.
“Last year, the Student Veterans Association (SVA) & MU Peer Tutors were able to fundraise over $230 at their bake sale. This year, with the help of Tau Delta Phi (TDP) Fraternity, SVA & TDP were able to fundraise over $500 towards NJRFTF! TDP hosted “Pelt a Delt’ on Wednesday outside the Student Center, where students were able to throw a water balloon at their members for $1 and SVA hosted a bake sale on Thursday, where any donation amount could get you a sweet treat. Dorothy even said this might be the most money our school has ever raised for this organization! All monies directly support Gold Star families,” Ramirez explained.
A way that you can show your support is just by being present at the event, the family members are very thankful and show their gratitude to all who come out.
Dorothy, added, “Each year, the Cosgrove family gathers at the marker on campus, at the entrance off Norwood Avenue, to welcome the runners and be greeted by students and staff who want to show their support and respect. Since 2016 the marker has been on campus, per the initiation by a former student veteran, and being able to bear witness to the brief ceremony from the runners is something not easily forgotten.”
“Specifically, for Monmouth students, just showing up is what’s most important! Remembering and celebrating LCpl Cosgrove is the greatest gift we can give to his family. My conversations with Charlene Cosgrove, LCpl Cosgrove’s mom, have always ended with overwhelming gratitude for the support shown by the student veterans and military-connected students. It would be great if more students, faculty, and staff would show their support for future events. There’s no running involved at all (unless you want to) because there’s a team that does all the running for us! I know the Cosgroves would appreciate the support and hope you join us next year,” Ramirez said.
