Big Turnout for 'Walk for the Wounded' in Ocean City

The three-mile charity walk was held for the fifth time in Ocean City — the four previous events raised more than $200,000 for Operation First Response, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to wounded soldiers and their families.      

In remarks before the walk started on Saturday morning, Peggy Baker, founder of Operation First Response, emphasized that for every wounded hero, there's a "silent hero" back home.

One of those "silent heroes," Krista Nielson, spoke about the financial and emotional support Operation First Response provided after her husband was wounded by a sniper while serving in Iraq.

The attack on Army Sgt. Jason Nielson was "one blurry day that lasted six months," Krista Nielson said of her husband's slow recovery in army hospitals.

She said Operation First Response is there to help military families "when you need help, but don't want to ask for help," and she said she's made friends for life in the people who came to support her and her husband.

That was the spirit of the event that included speakers, live music from the Tidal Wave Band and donated rides at Gillian's Wonderland Pier for all children who raised $10 or more for the event.

Baker said "we can't thank you enough" to Ocean City Home Bank, the founder and continuing primary sponsor of the local event.