Shelley Cruz, of Conroe, and her daughter Destiny walk during the 2009 Run for the Fallen at College Park High School track. Participants ran or walked one mile in honor of every fallen service member from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Photo by David Hopper

BY KIM MORGAN
Chronicle correspondent

It was a sunny day in August, the sky a beautiful blue, not a cloud to be seen for miles.

But this is Texas, people.

That means it was also scorching hot.

Despite that, more than 600 people participated in the inaugural Houston Run for the Fallen at College Park High School.

This year should be even better, because organizer Steffani Erickson has moved the event to a cooler date of March 20.

Folks are invited to show up at 9 a.m. at College Park High School, and walk or run a mile – or more, if you prefer – in honor of a fallen service member.

Pre-registration makes it easier for everyone to participate, and is available online at www.houstonrunforthefallen.net

If you would like to register the day of the event, arrive a little early.

Erickson said people can bring posters, wear walking boards, carry banners – whatever they want to honor their fallen friend or family member.

If you want to raise money for this year's nonprofit charity, Freedom is Not Free, you can.
According to its Web site at
www.freedomisnotfree.com, the organization aids wounded troops and their families, as well as families of the fatally wounded.