1,100 run Race for Our Troops

Saturday, April 2, 2011

MSLAW and several other local organizations  along with more than a thousand people participated to run the 5-kilometer Race for Our Troops, which will help build a free home for Army Sgt. Joe Smith, who was paralyzed while serving in Afghanistan last week.

More than 1,100 ran and walked a 5-kilometer race through downtown Andover Sunday to help raise money to finish building a free home for Army Sgt. Joe Smith of North Carolina, whose lower body was paralyzed while serving in Afghanistan.

Smith and his wife, Debbie, addressed the crowd immediately before the race, asking people to enjoy the day, while praising the work of the national Homes for Our Troops organization that is building the home for them. Homes for Our Troops was the beneficiary of money raised by the race and a dinner at Old Town Hall the night before.

"What they do is give life back to our heroes," said Debbie Smith.

"It' gives us back our independence," said Joe Smith, before keeping the mood light by adding "I hope you are all ready to have fun, because I am."

Smith completed the course in his wheelchair.

U.S. Sen. Scott Brown also addressed the crowd before running the race, which he finished in a time of 23:35, good for a top 100 finish.

All proceeds for all events, including the dinner auctions, will support Homes For Our Troops and their project will go to build a new home for Smith and his family, according to organizers.

For more information you can visit the website http://runforthetroops5k.com/

Information for this article was based on an article by the Andover Townsman which can be found here