Residents from Rapid River and beyond celebrated Memorial Day with a 5K run and walk in honor of Cpl. Joseph Micks.  Micks was a resident of Rapid River who was killed in Iraq in 2006.

Over 100 runners and walkers participated in the event.  Their their registration fees helping to fund upkeep for the Lest They Be Forgotten Memorial erected in Masonville Township Park.

This year’s 5K featured runners from all over Michigan, parts of Wisconsin, Illinois and even Connecticut.

“It’s just amazing how the word has spread and how a simple little run has turned into a very meaningful event,” Friends of Joe Committee member Nancy Gage said.

The event is put on by Cpl. Micks’ family and the Friends of Joe Committee, who are also engaged in having his remains, which are currently interred in Germany, returned home.

“When Joe got married, he married a woman from Germany,” Gage said, “and unfortunately, due to the rules, he got buried in Germany.  Since then his wife has moved on, remarried.  Our hope is to get him back to Rapid River where he’ll be remembered by many versus over in Germany where no one comes to visit him anymore.”

In addition to the 5K, the Friends of Joe Committee has also organized a Memorial Ride to honor Cpl. Micks and all the veterans. The ride will take place Sunday, June 1 and there is no registration fee; simply show up and drive.

More information can be found at www.friendsofjoe.org.