It was the most deadly loss for a unit in the history of the Indiana National Guard when six members of the 713th Engineer Company based in Valparaiso died while deployed in Afghanistan in 2012. The soldiers who lost their lives are affectionately remembered as the Sapper Six: Sgt. Brian Jeffrey Leonhardt (age 21), Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger (age 32), Spc. Christopher A. Patterson (Age 20), Spc. Robert J. Tauteris, Jr. (age 44), Spc. Sergio Eduardo Perez (age 21) and Spc. Nicholas Andrew Tayler (age 20). Their families, members of the National Guard’s 713th unit, 81st Troop Brigadier General Michael J. Osburn and Folds of Honor of Northwest Indiana invite you to join them to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by these soldiers.
The Sapper Six 5K Memorial Race and 3K Fun Run/Walk will take place on September 20th at Porter Health Amphitheater at Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso. Race registration will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a 5:00 p.m. race start. An awards ceremony and picnic with live music by Monterey & Positive Vibe Technicians will immediately follow the race. All members of the community are invited to participate and are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to show their patriotism. The Indiana National Guard 713th Engineer Company will run in formation during the race along with guardsmen from throughout the state. Proceeds from the event will fund scholarships for the children of northwest Indiana’s fallen and disabled heroes. The scholarships are managed by the Folds of Honor Foundation.
“This event will be the first time our community has come together to collectively honor the six individuals who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. It’s a great opportunity to show the families of those who died and the members of the local unit our appreciation,” shared Bob Carnagey, organizer of the Folds of Honor of Northwest Indiana.
The cost to pre-register for the race or fun run/walk is $25 for adults and $20 for children and secure online registration is available at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Valparaiso/SapperSixMemorial5KRun. On-site registration will be available for a slightly higher fee. To sponsor the race, please contact Bob Carnagey at 219.548.9825.
About Folds of Honor Foundation
The Folds of Honor Foundation is rallying a nation to ensure no family is left behind in the fight to preserve American freedom. Through scholarships and other assistance, our non-profit organization gives back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country. We provide healing, hope and an opportunity for dreams to be realized with the support of people like you. We feel this is our duty as citizens of the greatest country in the world.
The need is great, and, to paraphrase the words of Patrick Henry, “Their battle is ours”. As Americans, we feel a collective duty to honor those who have sacrificed by serving the families they leave behind.