Crowds gather at Soldier Field for run honoring fallen soldiers
For the 11th year in a row, Memorial Day weekend got off to a running start for tens of thousands descending on Soldier Field Saturday morning for the annual race to honor the country's fallen soldiers.
It's a tradition for so many, kicking off their Memorial Day weekend with an event honoring fallen soldiers.
Some to try and beat records.
"It was a personal best for 10 miles, I was pleased was that," said race winner Dan Kremske.
And some do in the memory of others, like Rosie Lopez, who lost her husband Edgar on his second tour of duty.
"I'm honoring Edgar," she said. "This August will be 10 years since he passed away. So when I saw this race I though 10 miles? I could do 10 miles for the 10 years that he's been gone."
Lopez left behind two children too, so they came to support mom. When Rosie hit the pavement, she wanted it to be special, and memorable for her whole family.
"I finally took out his dog tags," she said. "I haven't taken them out since he passed away, so I decided to wear it and hopefully, you know, he's watching down."
Stories like the Lopez family make this race different than the rest. In fact, the race started with a roll call of names of soldiers from Illinois who lost their lives in the line of duty this year.
At the end of the 10 mile race, which took place on the 50 yard line inside Soldier Field, a smiling face of a service member handed out medals to each participant.
And how fitting for all of these runners to have the event take place here at the memorial of American soldier.
Proceeds from the race go towards "Salute, Inc.," a local charity that provides military families with financial, physical and emotional support.
