Amarillo area runners come out to support the fallen

Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News
·2 min read

More than 40 runners came out for the Jack R. Barnes Run for the Fallen on Saturday at Stephen F. Austin Park in Amarillo to raise money and awareness for Gold Star families and those veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the country.

A group of runners finish the first leg of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
A group of runners finish the first leg of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Over 40 runners start the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Over 40 runners start the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.

Blake Siebrecht, the president and founder of Brothers and Sisters of our Military Adventures (BOOM), spoke about the reason behind the run.

“We do this every year to pay our respects to our Gold Star families, military and first responders that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and given their all for our country,” he said. "We want to honor these families and ensure that we continue the customs and honors that we hold in the military.”

Lucas Mata comes in first for the second year in a row at the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Lucas Mata comes in first for the second year in a row at the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Johnny Cobb addresses a group of runners at the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Johnny Cobb addresses a group of runners at the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.

The run is named after Jack R. Barnes, a retired Chief Petty Officer and schoolteacher who was an ardent advocate for Gold Star families. Barnes was the impetus behind the Armed Forces Banquet, which honors Gold Star families in Amarillo each year.

Siebrecht saw Barnes as a mentor who worked with him on military events and with nonprofits in the area. When Barnes died in 2019, Siebrecht and his group commemorated the run in his name because of his passion for Gold Star families and veterans.

Two runners push themselves toward the finish of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Two runners push themselves toward the finish of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Two runners smile as they finish the 5 kilometer Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Two runners smile as they finish the 5 kilometer Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.

“He invited all the Gold Star families from around the area to come to our banquet to honor their loved ones and do this run in their honor,” he said. "He worked to get these families accommodations so that they could share their stories about their hero, and I really respect what Jack did. So, we carry this on as his legacy, and to bring it back, the commitment that he showed to all of these people.”

Runners come out of the turn of the first leg of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Runners come out of the turn of the first leg of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Two runners celebrate at the finish of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Two runners celebrate at the finish of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.

BOOM Adventures does a variety of fundraisers each year to make the Armed Forces Banquet happen for families, as well as many other activities for local veterans, veteran families, and law enforcement. All proceeds from the morning run went toward Gold Star families.

Siebrecht says that supporting these families by remembering and honoring them is our duty as Americans.

A runner finishes his run at just under 21 minutes at the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
A runner finishes his run at just under 21 minutes at the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
A runner celebrates at the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
A runner celebrates at the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.

“We are indebted to these families for their sacrifice,” he said.

To find out more about BOOM Adventures and their events, go to https://www.boomadventures.org/ .

Two runners let out a sigh of relief at the finish of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
Two runners let out a sigh of relief at the finish of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
A pair of runners smile near the finish of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.
A pair of runners smile near the finish of the Chief Petty Officer Jack R. Barnes Run For the Fallen Saturday morning at Stephen F Austin Park in Amarillo.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo participants support Jack R Barnes Run for the Fallen