Annual Walk for the Wounded and Warriors Set For May 19 In Media

MEDIA, PA – The 11th Annual Walk for the Wounded and Warriors 5K Run is set to take place this weekend and by participating you can raise funds for Operation First Response, a national organization that serves all branches of our nation’s wounded heroes, assisting them and their families with personal and financial needs.

This year’s Walk for the Wounded and Warriors 5K Run will take place on Saturday, May 19 in Rose Tree Park.

Race-day registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and runners will step off at 10 a.m. A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. with the walk to follow.

This year one of the well-deserved recipients of the funds raised is retired Chief Warrant Officer Trevor Jenni of the United States Army who will be giving the keynote speech.

He will talk about his military service in Afghanistan during Operation Freedom, his time at Oyster Creek Power as a terrorism squad leader, and his final years as a Blackhawk Pilot flying 350 hours in Iraq. Due to multiple injuries he was medically retired from the Army in 2015.

The emcee for this year’s event is CBS3’s Nicole Brewer who will be joined by hundreds of military veterans and the Phillie Phanatic, who hasn’t missed a single WALK since the first in 2007.

As in previous years, the day will boast a festival-like atmosphere, with live music from Bucket List from noon to 2 p.m. and activities including rock climbing, zip-lining, and free falling.

There will also be a tribute to a local fallen hero, Army Sgt. Allen J. Dunckley and a military vehicle display that may include a Chinook Ch47 Helicopter.

The mission is to help these wounded heroes get through their recovery period and transition from military life to the civilian world.

The financial aid they offer is based on individual needs and can range from rent and utilities, to home alterations to add accessibility, to clothing and travel expenses.

You can sign up for the walk or run online here.

Last year marked a decade of Delco hosting this event, and when the final tally was taken, the event had raised more than 2.5 million dollars.

"In Delaware County, we are dedicated to supporting our men and women in the Armed Services, and the 39,000 veterans now living in our county," Council Chairman John P. McBlain said. "A remarkable program that helps wounded veterans and their families is Operation First Response, a national organization that serves all branches of our nation’s wounded heroes, assisting them and their families with personal and financial needs."

At its May 9 weekly meeting, Delaware County Council presented a resolution and commended the efforts of Operation First Response, highlighting the upcoming Walk for the Wounded event that has raised more than $2.5 million dollars since its inception more than a decade ago which is organized by Nick Constantino, senior advisor to Operation First Response.

"It is hard to comprehend what our servicemen and women face in a combat situation, or serving in a hostile country," McBlain said. "But it’s just as hard to comprehend what it must be like to return to civilian life after suffering life-changing injuries, often followed by mounting bills."

Operation First Response offers financial aid to veterans based on individual needs and can range from rent and utilities, to home alterations to add accessibility, to clothing and travel expenses.

The mission is to help these wounded heroes get through their recovery period and transition from military life to the civilian world.

Rose Tree Park is located at 1671 N. Providence Road in Media.

Image via Delaware County