Frequently Asked Questions

If you are planning to be at your loved one's marker here are a few things to know or do:
1. Meet up with us the day before at the end of day ceremony. (ceremony locations will be posted by day on the state route pages, under full route with links)
2. Determine potential mile location by selecting the Map My Run link by each date.
3. Markers may not be pre-placed and location may be determined each day by the progress we are making.
4. Click on GPS link to find our approximate current location, http://heroes.runforthefallen.org/show-run-location
5. Call us the day before or morning of to let us coordinate with you. 480-495-4668 or 757-576-5403
6. We are following a specific route based upon the map route however timing may vary throughout the day.
7. Follow our prescribed route and find our caravan, we can guide you once we connect with you.

Q: What is America's Run for the Fallen?
A: America's Run for the Fallen is a nationwide relay foot run in tribute to every Military service member who has died while serving or as a result of serving during the War on Terror, since October 12, 2000. Running over 6,000 miles in nineteen states for nearly 20,000 names. Beginning April 7 on Fort Irwin, CA and ending August 5, 2018 in Arlington National Cemetery.

Q: How does the Run work?
A: A core team of marathon trained runners, along with a support crew running a specific timed schedule, will stop at one mile intervals at a pre-placed marker and speak out loud the name of each fallen service member based on their chronological date of death. Family members, friends and patriots will be waiting at their marker to meet the runners and hear each name called out in a short ceremony.  Each ceremonial stop will be less than 1 minute as runners then continue toward the next marker.  At the end of each day a longer ceremony will enable all attending to hear every name for that day read again. (hundreds of core runners will be recruited and rotated)

Q: What support are you looking for?
A: As you can expect our needs are many and varied. Support is needed both locally and nationally, volunteer as well as financial. We need commitments from runners, support crew, law enforcement, sponsors, organizations, media and individual communities. VOLUNTEER FORM You may also participate or encourage others to join in our VIRTUAL RUN NOW.

Q: What Heroes are being honored along this tribute trail?
A: Our focus for this event is the War on Terror. We have identified nearly 20,000 service members who have died while serving or as a result of serving during this period.  Criteria includes all service members regardless of cause of death. In addition, for every family attending each end of day ceremony we will also read the names of their family's loved one regardless of generation. (This will enable the tribute of every fallen name possible)

Q: Is this tribute primarily for those who died in action?
A: No, The Honor and Remember Organization and Flag recognizes all military who died while serving or as a result of serving regardless of circumstance. Subsequently our Run for the Fallen events honor all of those service members who served and died whether in battle or due to the overwhelming emotional scars of serving.

Q: How do I search to see if my Fallen Hero is being honored?
A: Every fallen service member since October 12, 2000 should be listed in our database. Click on FIND A HERO on our home page to search for your friend or loved one.

Q: My Hero did not die during the period of the War on Terror (WOT), will they still be honored?
A: Although America’s Run for the Fallen is focused on the time period from October 12, 2000 forward we have in place many opportunities to honor your loved one. WOT hero markers will be placed at every mile designating specific dates of death in chronological order. At the end of each day there will be a planned ceremony where all names will be re-read. Any family member or friend who attends any of our end of day events, regardless of generation, will have their loved one’s name read. Look over our route and determine where you possibly could attend and let us know. We are dedicated to include every fallen service member possible depending on family availability.

Q: What if the Hero's information is missing or inaccurate?
A: If you find any errors in the listed information please send an email to dataupdate@runforthefallen.org or you may click on the FIND A HERO link and fill in the ADD A HERO section with updates.

Q: What if I can't find my Hero on the Run for the Fallen search?
A: When you do a search to FIND A HERO and they are not identified there will be a link titled "ADD A HERO ". Please fill out all required information and once we verify, they will be added to the run according to their date of death. While we have an extensive list of service members there may be many that we have missed. We need to hear from you if you cannot find your loved one along the route.

Q: Can a family member, friend, or comrade run with the core team for their mile?
A: Yes, but most importantly, they must be capable of keeping pace with our team members. In practice that means that you should be capable of running that mile in 8-10 minutes. Please remember that whoever is running that mile must get their own transportation to the preceding Hero Marker in time to join in with our team. So - if your HM is for example 116 then you should be at 115 to join our Team to run your mile. The planned arrival dates/times at each Marker will be available on our maps well in advance of the Run for each location.

Q: How do I meet the runners at my loved one's marker?
A: First, search for your loved one's mile along the 2018 route. A map should pop up indicating the general location of each marker. Second, let us know that you'll be there and we will do our best to identify the exact time and location that day. Be sure to select "Stand At a Hero Marker" on the volunteer form.

Q: Can I stand and wait for the Run Team to arrive at my Hero's Marker?
A: We encourage ALL family members and friends to be at their loved one's marker if at all possible. Please bring photos, posters, banners, Honor and Remember Flags or whatever personal tribute you would like to visually make. We realize that there may be some great distance for some to travel. If you cannot attend, please send someone in your place or select another hero along the route closest to you to stand for. Each ceremonial stop will be less than 1 minute as runners then run toward next marker. Also please join us at each end of day ceremony so we can be sure to call your loved one's name and honor you as well.

Caution: each Hero Marker is placed approximately one mile apart. Some placements may not be along road conditions that are conducive to safely parking or standing on the side of the highway. Please use wise judgement when waiting for the runners to arrive, safety for all is our number one concern. You may want to consider standing at another marker close by in a safer location and letting us know where you may be waiting..

Q: How do I find My Hero's Marker?
A: Hero Markers may or may not be placed the morning of each day. If placed they will be at approximately 1 mile increments for the number of total miles being covered that day.
If your marker number is a specific mile on a specific day it can be found based on our daily start location. Makers could be found on road signs, light poles, staked on the ground or logical places they can be spotted easily.

Q: What will the Hero Marker Look Like?
A: If Markers are placed that day, they will be printed in color and laminated on an 8 1/2" x 11" full sheet. If possible we are planning to attach balloons for easier visibility.

Q: When Should I arrive at my Hero's Marker?
A: Each mile is specifically timed. The team is running a pace of between 8-12 minutes between each.  Depending on road conditions whether rain or shine, they could be on time or behind.  We will place an approximate timetable on each map and suggest you arrive 30-60 minutes ahead of schedule. During the day-of you will be able to see a gps tracking of our progress to time your arrival more accurately. You may also contact us day-of so that we can update you on our progress. Each ceremonial stop will be less than 1 minute as runners then continue toward next marker. http://heroes.runforthefallen.org/show-run-location or call 480-495-4668

Q: I cant make it to our marker but would still like to participate.
A: Due to time and distance restraints we know you may not be available to directly participate at your specific marker. However, we would encourage you to send friends or relatives to yours and you could stand for another family in a location that may be closer in proximity to your home state.

Also - there are many other opportunities to participate by being a part of the beginning ceremony or at the end of each day or by concluding with us inside Arlington Cemetery, Section 60. More details will be available as we get closer to the date

Q: Can my Hero's marker be moved to another location?
A: America's Run for the Fallen is a National run to include every fallen service member since the USS Cole. Unfortunately because of the extensive number of lives lost it was impossible to locate every marker near a hometown or family residence. In order to respectfully include every name we chose as our model the chronological day of death. This may not enable everyone to attend their particular place of honor however we think you will understand based on a number of reasons.

First because of the enormity of this undertaking we want to insure everyone is remembered, giving us a point of reference and an exact sequence we can verify is important. Second it enables us to place heroes together who died on the same day, families can now meet others with a direct connection. We hope this brings additional friendships and healing. Third it provides an easy reference for anyone who may be looking to where in the country their hero may be honored; it is chronological. Fourth it would be impossible for us to include every name in a particular geographical position because of the inconsistencies of data and the fact that few families are living in the same area for any length of time.

We realize that some families may not be able to attend their marker. In this regard we can offer several options;

  1. If you can be at your marker with us great, please check back before the run starts to be sure positions haven't changed when new names were added. Also we are working to include a live component to the run so that you can follow us honor your hero live online.
  2. If you cannot attend, please send a relative or a friend to be there, maybe even another GS family. You could in turn be at their marker somewhere closer. Also there will be a ceremony at the end of each day you could attend.
  3. If you cannot attend there is still an opportunity we can honor your hero with you on a particular day closer to you. Let us know the best day and place and our end of day ceremony will include all those whose families are present. Contact us and provide the best location for you along the route so we can plan on your loved for that end of day. (We will still be honoring your hero chronologically on the day and time on the map according to our plan) Let us know what works for you. We hope to see you somewhere along the route. If you can assist in any way please let us know.

Q: Are there other ways I get involved?
A: There are many ways to help us fulfill this mission and as you can expect our needs are many and varied. Support is needed both locally and nationally, volunteer as well as financial. We need commitments from runners, support crew, law enforcement, sponsors, organizations, media and individual communities. One immediate way to help is to participate with us or get others to participate virtually. Click on this link to find out more. VIRTUAL RUN NOW also please fill out our VOLUNTEER FORM in the links above or contact us at run2018@honorandremember.org or for record changes write to dataupdate@runforthefallen.org