Deployed Wisconsin soldiers honor fallen Marine

BAGHDAD - More than 100 service members and civilians honored the memory of a fallen Marine from Wisconsin by participating in the Jerabek Challenge memorial run Aug. 8 at Forward Operating Base Prosperity in Baghdad.

The Jerabek Challenge was created in Hobart, Wis., by Pfc. Ryan Jerabek's parents to thank veterans and service members, and to honor those who have fallen.

Participants from across the International Zone, including 19 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers assigned to the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters, Camp Douglas, Wis., endured early morning temperatures in the 90s as they ran the 4-mile course. Participants received T-shirts sent by Jerabek's mother.

Six thousand miles away, runners in Hobart, Wis., participated in a similar 4-mile course on the same roads that prepared Jerabek for service in the Marine Corps.

Jerabek died April 6, 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart.

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Capt. Paul Gellerup assigned to headquarters company, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Camp Douglas, Wis., passes a water point in the 4-mile Jerabek Challenge memorial run held Aug. 8 at Forward Operating Base Prosperity. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Gonzalez

More than 100 service members and civilians from across Baghdad’s International Zone cross the starting line in the Jerabek Challenge Memorial run Aug. 8 at Forward Operating Base Prosperity. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Gonzalez

A runner of the 4-mile Jerabek Challenge takes a moment to write his time on a roster prior to receiving a T-shirt provided by Jerabek’s mother. The Jerabek Challenge was created in Hobart, Wis., after Marine Pfc. Ryan Jerabek died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Gonzalez