READING, Pa.- The Rolling Remembrance Relay pulled into the Papa John’s on N. 5th Street in Reading Friday as part of its 14,000-mile trip across the country.
A war-torn American flag travels from coast to coast to honor and recognize those who have served our country and many who’ve given their lives.
“If we fail to recognize those who have laid their lives on the line so that we could have simple things in life and enjoy our lives, that was the worst of all evils,” said Jay Ostrich from the Berks County Dept. of Veterans Affairs. “Our apathy is the worst of all evils.”
The event raises money for college and trade school scholarships for children of fallen soldiers.
Alexis Kelley and her siblings lost their father who was diagnosed with brain cancer which he developed due to his time serving in Vietnam.
He died when she and her brothers were in their first year of college. That’s when the Children of Fallen Patriots stepped in, paying for her and both of her brothers’ college educations.
“They allowed me to grieve without worrying about the financial strain of college,” said Kelley. “I was able to take the time I needed to make friends, to get the support I needed to grieve, and to also focus on school without having a part time job. Because of them I was able to graduate magna cum laude amongst the top of my class.”
The foundation has helped more than 4,200 other children of fallen military members and first responders.
“I’d like to think that my dad would be proud of me and I certainly know that he’d be thankful to Fallen Patriots for everything that they’ve done for his family, for me, and for my brothers,” added Kelley.