Since May 1, Mike Ehredt has risen each day and run 30 miles down America’s roads.
He’s run 3,324 miles, or the equivalent of 127 marathons. And while you might consider him to be a physical fitness fanatic, that has nothing to do with his reasons.
His effort is part of “Project Run America: One Life. One Flag. One Mile.”
A former member of the U.S. Army and a retired U.S. Postal Service employee, the Idaho man is running to recognize the 4,417 members of the American military who have lost their lives while serving in Iraq.
This week, Ehredt ran through Cass County, placing a small American flag with a yellow ribbon bearing the name, rank, branch of service, hometown and age of a fallen American at each mile along the way.
It’s something he has done once every mile since leaving Astoria, Ore., and something he will do once every mile until he hits the Atlantic Ocean at Rockland, Maine, on Oct. 15. After placing the flag, he salutes each one and marks its location on a map in his phone. The trip, which he decided to make three years ago, has not been easy, as he hsas encountered challenges presented by the weather, mountains and the physical nature of the effort.
“If I was just crossing America for my own selfish reasons, I would have stopped in Nebraska and said, ‘OK, that’s enough,’” he said. The flags are placed in reverse chronological order by the date of death. Ehredt placed a flag in memory of Logansport’s Shawn Hensel on a roadside near Paradise, Mont., on May 25. Hensel was killed in action in August 2007. Ehredt says he’s never alone while running.
“All of them are with me,” he said of the fallen service members he seeks to recognize.
As he told the Pharos-Tribune, this is a personal tribute.
“I was not a voice for anyone in the country,” he said. “I’m just my own voice.”
On the same day Ehredt’s journey passed through Logansport, President Barack Obama addressed the nation to mark the end of combat operations in Iraq. It seemed an appropriate time to offer a tribute to the men and women who have given their lives in that fight.
Opinion
Runner honors fallen American heroes
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Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.
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A positive step for public schools
Indiana is one of 10 states granted waivers last week from provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind law. The waiver appears to be a step forward for schools across the state.
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An outstanding community effort
United Way of Cass County announced this week that it had raised more than $600,000 in its most recent campaign. The campaign’s success is a testament to the generosity of local residents and to the great work of the United Way and its member agencies.
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Thorns & Roses
Thorns & Roses is our staff’s compilation of the best and worst of the week, but if you have your own nominations, feel free to send them along for publication in our Public Forum. Submissions of up to 400 words may be addressed to Pharos-Tribune, 517 E.
Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The fax number is 574-732-5070, and the email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime telephone number. -
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.
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Another step forward for local trails
Local officials broke ground this week on the planned Eel River Run from downtown to Riverside Park. The project will expand a trail system of which the community can be proud.
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White should not return to office
The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state on charges of voter fraud has left Republicans and Democrats fighting over who will hold the office. No matter how the fight comes out, Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Even in names, Eli beats Peyton
Columnist Dave Kitchell looks at the names of Cass County's babies in 2011 - and the effect they may have had on the Super Bowl.
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Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.
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A grand success for Indianapolis
The just-ended Super Bowl was the result of decades of preparation. Indianapolis left a great impression on the thousands of visitors who descended on the city.
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