2006 Events
MMAF Appreciation Run and Walk
The 2006 Walk and Run took place on Saturday, September 30, 2006. All participants received a ticket to that morning’s Twins / White Sox game, a t-shirt, commemorative pin, tickets to a Minnesota Timberwolves game in November, and refreshments. All military personnel and their families were invited to participate free of charge, and a nominal registration fee was charged to other participants.
The event included a 2-mile walk, a 5K run, and music from the Wayzata High School Marching Band. The 2-mile walk was led by the Vessey Leadership Academy Color Guard, followed by Boy Scouts carrying a MMAF banner. A convertible carrying LCPL Kyle Anderson followed, and behind him was Lt. Col. Joseph Repya driving a restored WWII Jeep. Herb Suerth, an original member of the WWII Band of Brothers was riding with Repya.
Walkers and runners began the route by proceeding under a 30 foot American flag suspended from two Minneapolis fire trucks. It was a beautiful fall day for the nearly 2,800 participants.
Following the Run/Walk, most participants used their free tickets and went inside the Metrodome to the Twins game at 11:10 a.m. Recognition of our military continued during the Twins game as 50 returning veterans and their families unfurled a giant American flag as the National Anthem was sung to a sold-out crowd. Lt. Col. Joseph Repya and Herb Suerth took the field in their WWII jeep, and we heard a stirring rendition of God Bless America from MMAF supporter, Tom Tipton during the 7th inning stretch. In between innings on the jumbotron, live from Iraq, a Minnesota soldier spoke to the fans at the Metrodome and then got down on one knee and proposed to his sweetheart at the game. It was a fun day for all participants.
View our Facebook photo gallery of the 2006 Appreciation Walk/Run
