Indiana Run for the Fallen

05/18/2026

At the end of Day # 2 on our 12th INRFTF, Johnny Butler and Nate LaMar, presented a personalized Honor and Remember to the family of:

Cpt. James E. Nelson
13 May 2021
USAR
New Castle

He provided counseling services in Henry County for more than 25 years. His work came in a variety of settings – Comprehensive Mental Health, New Castle Pediatrics, Charles A. Beard Memorial School Corp. as well as Henry Community Health’s Family and Internal Medicine. He also served the Richard Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, working with Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans.

Jim was a 1990 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School, where he was a member of the Trojan Marching Band and ran cross country. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Ball State University in 1995, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He completed his master’s degree in social work at Indiana University in 2002, graduating with honors. The IU School of Social Work named him a distinguished alumni/social worker of the year in 2012.

He was deployed in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served first as a lieutenant, then was quickly promoted to captain of the 55th Medical Unit, providing life-saving counsel to soldiers at multiple mental health clinics, including the Camp Liberty Mental Health Clinic.





Pics: Faye York

05/18/2026

Since this was my last official year with the INRFTF, I got the opportunity to Cherry pick my stops.
Obviously, most where at families of the fallen where I got to love on the families.
A few pics I will share over the next days/weeks.

pic: Faye York

05/14/2026

We just ended our 12th Indiana Run For The Fallen.
The best one yet!
The Runners called out names and paid respects to 592 Hoosiers who died serving during GWOT.

I wanted to give out special Shout Out and Thank You’s to the Runners/Volunteers that have been with us since our start in 2015 for their significant dedication to the mission.
Eric Roddy, Frank Murphy, John Reeder, Robert Hammett, Bob Wilburn, Phil Reagon, Mark Justice, Chuck Ross.
Without them we would not be where we’re at today!!

Since 2018 and America’s RFTF, Johnny Butler, and Adam Bennett have increasingly added to their responsibilities to now lead (along with Sara Meadows) the INRFTF.
Please give them your full support!!
They’ve already proven that they will carry on the Mission: To Never Forget and Honor and Remember our military heroes so they are truly not forgotten…

I’m hoping to be in the area for the next year’s Run, but won’t play a role in the INRFTF.
I’m currently still the Indiana Chapter Director as our Committee searches for my replacement.
My plan is to continue to present personalized flags in Central FL and in Central Indiana as needed.

Very special thanks to the families of the fallen who have accepted me into their family.
Hearing many of your hero’s stories has been life changing for me personally, and very dear to my heart.

Thank you for the precious gift of the past INRFTF T-shirts on a quilt.
A very humbling and special gift!
The way I understand it is that Christy Foster and Libby Jet (her daughter) who brought this all together.
I have no idea who else may or may not been involved.

Godspeed

Don

05/11/2026

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Indiana Run for the Fallen completed its 140-mile run from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis as they stopped at every mile marker to honor fallen Indiana service members.

05/10/2026

⏱️ FINAL DAY of the 12th Annual Indiana “RUN FOR THE FALLEN” Day 3, Video 1

Blazing a tribute trail, while calling out the names of Virginia's Fallen Heroes and comforting the families. Together We Remember Them All! 🇺🇸 ⭐️ 🏃‍♀‍🏃‍♂‍

🔹 Day 3 – Sunday, May 10 | 30 miles | Hero Markers 110-145

HM #107 (past I-69 on SR/38/67 overpass in front of Imi Aggregates) to Veterans Memorial Plaza, Indianapolis.

See Run Route here 👉 https://bit.ly/IN_R4FDay3

📲 WATCH the Live Stream on Facebook at Run for the Fallen

🔹 Closing Ceremony - 1:45 p.m. – Veterans Memorial Plaza (just North of Indiana War Memorial), Indianapolis.

Declaration of Remembrance signing all day in honor of America 250.

One Mission. One Team. One Tribute.

Hosted by Honor and Remember.

05/10/2026

Day 3
Anderson to Indy for the finish.
Anyone can walk the last 1/2 mile from WTHR to IWM.
Families of the Fallen- Runners are ON TIME to slightly ahead.

05/09/2026

Day-2 12th Annual Indiana “RUN FOR THE FALLEN” Video 3

We honor their service and sacrifice and remember that they each gave up a future so that we could have ours. We give Tribute to them by name wherever possible and to the sacrifice of the families they left behind. 🇺🇸 ⭐️ 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

🔹 Day 2 – Saturday, May 9 | 58 miles | Hero Markers 52-110

Freedom Park in Portland to Anderson Memorial Cemetery
See Run Route here 👉 https://bit.ly/IN_R4FDay2

Declaration of Remembrance signing all day in honor of America 250.

📲 WATCH the Live Stream on Facebook at Run for the Fallen

One Mission. One Team. One Tribute.

Hosted by Honor and Remember

05/09/2026

Day-2 12th Annual Indiana “RUN FOR THE FALLEN” Video 1

We honor their service and sacrifice and remember that they each gave up a future so that we could have ours. We give Tribute to them by name wherever possible and to the sacrifice of the families they left behind. 🇺🇸 ⭐️ 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

🔹 Day 2 – Saturday, May 9 | 58 miles | Hero Markers 52-110

Freedom Park in Portland to Anderson Memorial Cemetery
See Run Route here 👉 https://bit.ly/IN_R4FDay2

Declaration of Remembrance signing all day in honor of America 250.

📲 WATCH the Live Stream on Facebook at Run for the Fallen

One Mission. One Team. One Tribute.

Hosted by Honor and Remember

05/08/2026

12th Annual Indiana “RUN FOR THE FALLEN” Day-1, Video 4

We run dedicated miles to honor and remember each fallen hero who has died since the GWOT began. However, regardless of war or conflict, the branch of service, or cause of death, we ultimately run for them all. 🇺🇸✨🏃‍♀️🏃

⭐️ Day 1 - Friday, May 8 | 52 miles | Hero Markers 1-52

Allen County War Memorial to Freedom Park in Portland

📺 WATCH the Live Stream on FaceRun for the Fallenallen

One Mission. One Team. One Tribute.

HosteHonor and Remember - Official Pageember.

05/08/2026

12th Annual Indiana “RUN FOR THE FALLEN” Day-1, Video 3

We run dedicated miles to honor and remember each fallen hero who has died since the GWOT began. However, regardless of war or conflict, the branch of service, or cause of death, we ultimately run for them all. 🇺🇸✨🏃‍♀️🏃

⭐️ Day 1 - Friday, May 8 | 52 miles | Hero Markers 1-52

Allen County War Memorial to Freedom Park in Portland

📺 WATCH the Live Stream on Facebook Run for the Fallen

One Mission. One Team. One Tribute.

Hosted by Honor and Remember.