For the fourth consecutive year many in the Jamestown area along with those around the world showed their support in honoring LCpl. Leon B. Deraps by participating in the Memorial Scholarship Fund Five-Mile Walk/Run/Ride. This year over 450 were registered as volunteers, walkers, runners and riders of bikes, motorcycles, ATV's, strollers or horses.
Omie Johnson, Deraps' sister and one of the organizers of the event said the planning process starts each year in February. She said it is amazing to see the number of those who take time out of their busy schedules to support the event.
"As we walk/run/ride the five miles to Cedron we all smile in seeing the miles of people honoring Leon," Johnson said. "We gather each year on the first Saturday in May to honor our brother who gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life for our country on May 6, 2006. It is wonderful to honor Leon on this day and all military service men and women whom have served our country. So many of us take our freedoms for granted, and this is a way to remember then men and women whom help us in keeping those freedoms."
For more of this story check out the May 9 issue of the California Democrat.