Walk for Wounded, Run for Fallen, Ride for MS

Ocean City is known for its support of charitable and humanitarian events. Last year more than $30 million was raised by organizations that held events here.  These ranged from the Heart Association to charities assisting men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This week Ocean City will host three events: The MS Bike Tour, The Walk for the Wounded and The Run for the Fallen.

Friday, September 27

NJ RUN FOR THE FALLEN: The event honors service members who fought and died in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. Relay teams will run from Cape May Point and cover 172 miles ending at the N.J. Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel on Sunday.

Teams are scheduled to stop at various “Hero Markers” in Ocean City starting at 3:05 p.m. They will stop at each marker to present an American Flag and biographical card to waiting Gold Star families and to salute members of the community who support the memory of our fallen veterans.

The following service members will be honored at these times and locations: Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr., Corson’s Inlet Bridge, 3:05 p.m.; S/Sgt. Ingles Dos Reis, 55th Street and Central Ave., 3:15 p.m.; Sgt. 1st Class Scott R. Smith, 45th and Central Ave., 3:25 p.m.; Spc. Simeon Hunte, 37th St. and Central Ave., 3:35 p.m.; L/Cpl Jon T. Hicks, Jr., 29th St. and Wesley Ave., 3:45 p.m.; SSgt Aaron Nelson Brown, 21st and Wesley Ave., 3:55 p.m.; Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Sutherland, Veteran’s Memorial Park, 5th and Wesley Ave., 4:05 p.m.; Spc. Ronald H. Wildrick, VFW Post 6650, 15th St. and Bay Ave., 4:15 p.m.; Sgt. Keith Buzinski, Bay Ave. between 24th and 25th Sts. 4:25 p.m. and Sgt. Alessandro “Sandrino” Plutino, American Legion Post 524, 3304 Bay Ave., 4:35 p.m. For information, call American Legion Post member Jack Hagan, (609) 304-3088 or visit www.njrunforthefallen.org.

Saturday, September 28

WALK FOR THE WOUNDED: This is a 3-mile walk on the Boardwalk supporting Operation First Response. Registration begins 8:30 a.m. in front of the Music Pier Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. A ceremony honoring our soldiers begins 9:30 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 10 a.m. 

Operation First Response draws attention to the plight of tens of thousands of returning soldiers who are wounded and whose families are facing significant financial and emotional challenges as their loved ones recover. Its goal is to raise funds to help meet the critical needs of these families, many of whom are in crisis right now in hometowns across the country. Operation First Response delivers 90 cents of every dollar raised to wounded soldiers and their families. Special guests in Ocean City will be Chris Ford, former Boston Celtic coach and player who will speak at the ceremony and Michele Dawn Mooney, anchorwoman for NBC-TV 40 who will sing the National Anthem.  

Operation First Response has assisted 9,552 families since its inception in 2004. For more information visit www.ochome.com or call (609) 399-0012, ext. 1106.

Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29

MS CITY TO SHORE RIDE: More than 7,000 cyclists will raise more than $5 million to combat multiple sclerosis in one of the country’s largest bike tours. The ride is fully supported with catered rest stops and SAG transportation. It is a scenic ride over the flatlands of South Jersey to Ocean City.         

The ride was started 35 years ago by TV anchor Larry Kane who met with Ocean 

City officials at the Plymouth Inn to plan the ride. He was motivated by the memory of his mother who suffered and died from MS.  Kane and about twelve of his friends participated in the first tour. In a few years, Kane built the event into a major fund raiser promoting it heavily on his Philadelphia TV station and through his contacts.

Funds go toward assisting those currently afflicted with MS and for research to find a cure. For information, call 1-800-445-BIKE or visit www.mscycling.org. 

—News release from the City of Ocean City