Photo By Maj. Will Cox | The Some Gave All 5K race began with individual competitors, Ranger Buddy competitors,...... read more read more
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LULA, Ga. - Some gave all and inspired others to keep giving. Maj. Kevin Jenrette did this through his life and death in combat June 4, 2009. His life inspired his family and others to give to Guardsmen and their families when they are in need. Shannon Jenrette, bereaved wife of Kevin, spends every May putting on a charity race to raise money for the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation.
“Kevin helped a lot of people, in a lot of ways, and after he was killed I had many people come and tell me about what he had done for them. His life and their stories made me want to do something once a year to bring people together to remember him and raise money for a good cause,” said Shannon Jenrette. “Now it is not only to honor the memory of my husband, but it also honors the memory of all those who have given their all in combat.”
Before the race began Shannon was brought on stage by the Master of Ceremonies to be honored in front of the crowd.
“Shannon turned something that would devastated one family into a victory for many,” said Maj. Bobby Brookshire, Some Gave All (SGA) 5K Master of Ceremonies and committee member. Planning an event like the SGA 5K is a big undertaking for anyone and especially for a single mother of three. Shannon lives the Army Values and is Army strong, her selfless sacrifice and enduring spirit of giving is amazing and an example for all and is indicative of the awarding of the Oglethorpe Distinguished Service Medal.”
Shannon was awarded the highest award the Georgia Department of Defense can give.
“The Oglethorpe Medal is presented for distinguished service to the National Guard and the families of the National Guard. Shannon’s service and continued sacrifice is what this award was created for,” Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth, Adjutant General of Georgia.
The SGA 5K race has raised more than $52,000 dollars in the last three years for the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation to support Guardsmen and their families with emergency financial relief.
“The Some Gave All is probably our most heartfelt fundraiser that we are the beneficiary of. This is the 4th year with close to 500 people registered. The net proceeds for this comes back to the foundation. In many ways Maj. Kevin Jenrette is still giving and helping families in the Georgia National Guard through Shannon and it is just amazing,” said Harriet Morgan, Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation Administrator. She continued, “The foundation provides emergency relief assistance for members of the Georgia National Guard. We provide basic needs such as rent or mortgage payments in the event any type of urgent issue causing a financial hardship. With the support of events like the Some Gave All 5K, we have been able to help over 2,100 families with over $1.8 million dollars in assistance.”
The Some Gave All 5K also provided an opportunity for mobilized Soldiers to connect with their loved ones back at home.
“It is nice to know that we can do something together, even though he is so far away,” said Kristen Johnson, wife of 1st Lt. Michael Johnson, Charlie Battery, 1-214th Filed Artillery Regiment, who came out to run the SGA 5K in Lula Georgia while her husband conducted a shadow run in Shindand Afghanistan.
Texas native Kaley Caperton sang her song, “Always Ready, Always There” among other songs as she entertained the crowd gathering for the Some Gave All 5K race. Kaley is a huge supporter of the National Guard and Youth Challenge Program.
Cadet Richard Henry, a senior at the University of North Georgia, won the race with a time of 18:58 and Deanna Lewis of Stevens county had the fastest female time of 22:20.
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2014 16:13 |
| Story ID: | 119416 |
| Location: | LULA, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | LULA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 275 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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