After losing their son in Afghanistan in 2008, one Hempstead family is developing plans for the second annual 5K Watermelon Run for the Fallen in August to honor members of the military who have lost their lives while in Iraq or Afghanistan.

President of Watermelon Run and Hempstead Police Chief David Hartley lost his son, Army Staff Sgt. Jeffery Hartley in 2008, while he was deployed in Afghanistan. He was 25 years old at the time.

Pictured are participants from last year’s Watermelon Run at Hempstead High School.

Hartley stated in a release that Run for the Fallen began in 2008 in Fort Irwin, Calif. A team of runners ran across the U.S. from Fort Irwin to the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

“(The team ran) one mile for every solider, sailor, airmen and marine killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom,” he said.

The members of the team agreed to make the third weekend in August the annual Run for the Fallen and aimed to have all 50 states participate.

Hartley and his wife heard news of Run for the Fallen and decided to become a part of it in 2010 in remembrance of their son by hosting a 5K walk/run.

He said the purpose of the Watermelon Run is to honor each individual from Texas who gave his or her life serving their country.

Last year about 1,500 members of the community showed their support for Jeffery and other fallen military. Hartley said this year he plans to see more than 3,000 in attendance.

“We ask that you please join us in making this event the biggest in the nation,” he said.

The event will be held on August 20 at 7 a.m., beginning at the Hempstead High School track and ending on 12th Street and Main Street.

Hartley said he wants to take the runners through the town of Hempstead so they can enjoy what Jeffery used to enjoy about Hempstead.

There will be fighter jets flying over the event, pictures and biographies of each fallen solider will be lined along the route, a roll call of all fallen military in Texas will be announced, a memorial wall will be present and more.

Hartley said the event is meant to be moving.

“We will not let you forget what these boys and girls have done,” he said. “They will not be forgotten.”

In addition, each runner will hold a card with a military person’s biography and picture that they have chosen to honor or have been assigned to them, so they remember who they are running for throughout the event.

Hartley anticipates that the cost for the event will be close to $40,000. He said those expenses are paid through sponsors and entry fees. Most of the events at the Watermelon Run are donations, he added.

He said profits from the event go to help injured military, Operation Military Embrace and Southeast Texas Patriot Guard Riders.

Each participant will pay a $20 entry fee if they register before Aug. 1. After Aug. 1 the entry fee is $25. Entry fees include a T-shirt. For more information or to register, visit watermelonrftf.org.

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