The members of the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation send their sincere thanks and appreciation to the many sponsors, donors, runners and support volunteers that made the Sixth Annual Veterans Memorial 5K Race on Nov. 8 a sterling success. The day was beautiful and the racers excited to be participating. Eighty females from ages 11 to 65 and 82 males from ages 11 to 79 ran the new course in a range of times from 17 to 59 minutes.
The proceeds of the race support the corporation's mission of purchasing land adjacent to the Fayetteville National Cemetery, clearing the land and then donating it to the Department of Veterans Affairs so the Fayetteville National Cemetery will have sufficient land to continue to receive veterans for burial. The all-volunteer corporation has been active in Fayetteville since 1984 and through its land purchases has more than tripled the size of the original five acres of cemetery land. The cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has been declared a national shrine, for which we can all be proud. The race would not be possible without the support of our local businesses who have been loyal sponsors and donors every year.
Special thanks go to our runners and support volunteers who make the race a colorful and exciting time for all.
Merle Williams
Farmington
Commentary on 12/22/2014