Fallen Heroes Run will honor 14th Quartermaster reservists killed by Iraqi missile
Motorcyclists are invited to visit Hempfield on Saturday to “ride for a reason” — honoring the ultimate sacrifice 30 years ago made by 13 members of the local Army Reserve 14th Quartermaster Detachment.
The third annual Fallen Heroes Run, organized by nonprofit Operation Vet NOW, will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Z&M Harley-Davidson dealership on Route 30 and will conclude there in the afternoon. Participants are scheduled to stop at about noon for a ceremony at the 14th Quartermaster memorial on Armory Drive in Hempfield.
On Feb. 25, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, an Iraqi Scud missile struck the water purification unit’s barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killing 13 members from Western Pennsylvania and beyond and injuring 43 others.
“Every year, we choose some local fallen service members to honor,” said OVN team leader Tony Aubrey of Monroeville, an Air Force veteran who also served in Desert Storm, with the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing.
Three decades after their loss, it’s the right time to pay tribute to the 14th Quartermaster, Aubrey said.
“We do this to make sure their legacy is never forgotten and to ensure the families know they’ll always be remembered,” he said.
Advance registration isn’t required, but those who wish to do so may visit OVN’s website, opvetnow.org, and search under the “events” heading. Registration on the day of the ride begins at 9 a.m. There is a fee of $25 per rider.
The run is paired with a veterans and military appreciation event, to be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Z&M lot. In addition to OVN’s Veterans Village informational outreach, military displays, live music, children’s activities, food trucks and a free gift for veterans are planned for the event.
“We have a lot of organizations that come out with information for veterans and veterans‘ families,” Aubrey said.
OVN’s mission is “Meeting veterans Needs, through endless Opportunities, to fortify their health and Wellness.”
It provides support to veterans of all eras who are dealing with combat-related stress or mental health issues. It has an archived series of podcasts, “Dealing With The Invisible Injury,” that can be viewed on its website, also under “Events.”
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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