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Century Man Runs 9/11 Memorial 5K In New York City
April 22, 2013
Runners from across the world — including one local man — honored the Boston Marathon victims while remembering the tragedy of 9/11 during a 5K run Sunday in New York City.
Jerry Sanders of Century joined about 3,000 runners and walkers in the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk, a untimed fundraiser for the yet to be opened 9/11 Memorial Museum. The event started at Pier 57 and continued 3.1 miles to the World Trade Center.
But the finish line was not the end of the race for Sanders.
“I could not stop,” Sanders said in an email Sunday evening. “Completed the 5K then walked around the city for over 4 hours waving my flag and meeting people. I (my flag) sure was popular! I could not count the people that wanted their pic taken with me.”
Along the way, someone noticed Sander’s “Marines” hat, confirmed that he was a Marine, and led the crowd in the Marine Corp Hymn.
“They sang while I choked back tears, as I was fighting tears from the start,” he said. “Such great people New Yorkers.”
At the finish, a lady approached Sanders and asked why he was carrying the flag, and he explained it was memory of the 9/11 victims and their families. She said her husband had been killed in the North Tower collapse. She asked Sanders if he would meet her husband, and he accompanied her to the site of the north tower where she pointed out her husband’s name on the memorial, rubbing her hand across his name.
“That did it for me,” Sanders said. “I could not talk, only hug her.”
“Words just won’t do,” he said, calling the day an experience of a lifetime.
Pictured: Jerry Sanders of Century carried his American flag as he completed the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk Sunday in New York Century. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
17 Responses to “Century Man Runs 9/11 Memorial 5K In New York City”
Please know that I don’t mean this to be negative, only informative! I hope this will serve to correct a grave” wrong” among us.
My visit to New York may have been a life “positive” changing experience for me! My one and only concern was the near total absence of individuals displaying the American flag. NYC, as a whole, displays the colors everywhere, but I only saw ONE other individual carrying and displaying the American flag that entire day! What is that about? We are a Proud America, show your colors!
I read stories like this and realize how negative mainstream media really is! American patriotism is alive and well! I hope there are still plenty of proud Americans!
Hey Jerrard MAM’A’s proud of you She is smileing and so was I when I saw your story We will see you when you come home love you my oldest brother
Josh is proud of of hus uncle Jerry
SEMPER FI !!!! glad to see you are back to running…..
That’s my brother. He comes from good stock. Moma would be proud.
Thank you Jerry. You found what we did during a visit just after the 9/11 attack. The New York people have turned out to be wonderful people.
Awesome story. Thanks William for once again sharing a positive story.Needs to be more stories and people like this. God Bless.
Dad …. I am so proud of you
You Jerry are a great man and what it means to be a true American. Carrie and I love you, be safe and see you when you get home.
He did a great job of representing the people of Florida, the Marine Corp and remembering 9-11 and for the good people injured in the Boston Marathon and those who aided them. I’m so proud of him, even though I don’t know him!
Awesome! Go Jerry
Way to go Jerry!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story of such love and American patriotism. Thank you for sharing.
Way to go Jerry….you should be very proud of yourself !
Very proud. Such great people Floridians.
Wow Cuz had no idea what you were doing. Son #2 would love to have been there. Soooo proud of you! Happy you had such a wonderful experience. Enjoy yourself, have lots of fun, be safe, and when you get home I want to hear all about it.
This is a great story!!!