More than 250 people gathered in the crisp morning air, Oct. 29, to run the Platte Purchase Park trail with the goal of showing the members of the United States military that the citizens of Kansas City continue to support them. The runners helped raise more than $30 thousand dollars for the Wounded Warrior project.
Army Spc. Steve Baskis, who lost his eye sight when his squad was hit by a roadside bomb during a combat patrol in Iraq, participated in the 3K run with help from local Marines and fellow Purple Heart recipients GySgt. Michael Perez, SSgt. Matthew Liechti and Sgt. Matthew Hood.
According to Perez, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Recruiting Substation Jefferson City, Mo., the event went very well and everyone had a good time. "I wasn't too worried about the course, I was just out there to have a good time for a good cause."
Other participants included the commanding officer of Recruiting Station Kansas City, Maj. Tom McGee, the officer selection officer, Capt. Brian Olmstead and the officer selection assistant GySgt. William Volinski.
The four wound warrior runners were also presented with quilts before the race in appreciation for the sacrifices they made while deployed in their respective combat zones.
The run was sponsored by Randy Reed, who has two sons in the military; one Army and the other in the Marines.