LI Woman To Run Marathons For 7 Days In Honor Of Veterans

HUNTINGTON, NY — Eva Casale is set to run at least 26.2 miles each day over the span of a week to benefit veterans.

The Town of Huntington and Supervisor Ed Smyth are slated to host a kickoff ceremony for Casale's Team E.V.A, “Every Veteran Appreciated,” at Veterans Plaza at Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main St., at 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the town.

Casale is aiming to complete her marathon for a sixth consecutive year, and, in the process, raise funds and awareness for a cause close to her heart: honor our troops, veterans, and fallen heroes.

"This special running tour of over 184 miles enables me to utilize my passion for running to bring Long Islanders together to support programs and services for veterans and to acknowledge and raise awareness for how much ‘Every Veteran is Appreciated,’" Casale said via news release. "We are especially excited that our journey will conclude in time to kick-off National Military Appreciation Month in May to further support the mission of honoring and acknowledging those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and to ensure that we never forget."

From April 24 through 30, Casale is set to lead the team during what she calls the “Every Veteran Appreciated” Week. Each day’s marathon will be focused on honoring local servicemen killed in action and will be linked to the communities they called home. At the end of the week, the team will have visited more than 300 Points of Honor and will have laid more than 300 flowers, wreaths and flags in memory of fallen heroes.

Smyth is set to host the opening ceremony.

"Our veterans represent the best of what our country stands for and it is important to honor the sacrifices that they and their families have made in the name of freedom and democracy," Smyth said. "The Town of Huntington enthusiastically supports Eva and her team as they begin this incredible, unique 184-mile journey to raise awareness, acknowledge and support our Long Island Veterans and their families."

The Town of Huntington also co-hosted the Team E.V.A. marathon kickoff event on Veterans Plaza in 2021.

From Huntington, Team E.V.A. will continue their journey into Northport, LI National Cemetery, Eisenhower Park, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Calverton, Westhampton, Brookhaven, Patchogue, Medford, Long Island’s South Shore, Oyster Bay and Bayville.

The journey is due to end in Casale’s hometown of Glen Cove with a special closing ceremony at the Glen Cove City Hall as Casale and her team cross the final finish line.

“We are excited and honored to welcome Eva and her team back home to Glen Cove during the final miles of her journey,” said Glen Cove City Mayor Pamela D. Panzenbeck. "The passion and commitment which Team E.V.A. demonstrate as they support Long Island’s veterans is simply remarkable."

Once this year’s journey concludes, Team E.V.A. will have completed more than 1,104 miles during the past six years in support of its mission.

Casale is inviting the community to join her during her Every Veteran Appreciated Week in one of the following ways:

• Participate in Part of the Journey: For a $30 donation, you can join Team E.V.A. for a 5k or up to an 8-mile run.
• Join the Team Virtually: For the first time, you can join the team virtually from anywhere in the world for a $35 donation by simply running or walking a minimum of 1 mile each day during “Every Veteran Appreciated” Week.
• Donate: Support Team Eva’s mission by donating any amount to the efforts.
• Display Your Flag: Eva also encourages residents and businesses to proudly display American Flags during the week.

To follow Casale on her journey, you can download the GLYMPSE app where she can be tracked each day using the hashtag #WheresEva. For more information, visit the Go Team E.V.A. website.