There iis a 5K walk - or run - at 9 this morning in New Smyrna Beach. It is being organized by Danielle Oldham, a 2006 graduate of New Smyrna Beach High School, in honor of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan -- the fallen as well as those still in harm's way.
The route begins at Riverside Park. Participants will go over the South Causeway Bridge, then turn left onto Peninsula, then left over the North Causeway Bridge and back to Riverside Park. The event will go on, rain or shine, with the exception of thunder and lightning, which is not expected.
Oldham said she did the walk herself the other day and completed it in an hour.
The 19-year-old said she has been inspired by her cousins who completed tours in Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Jacob Van Dyke, 28, and Sgt. Zachary Van Dyke, 25, who is here in New Smyrna Beach.
The walk -- or run, if you prefer -- is part of a national campaign "Run for the Fall (www.runforthefallen.org) to bring attention to the plight of the American forces fighting in two war campaigns.
The race is free and water will be provided for the participants. Everyone should get there at least 45 minutes in advance to sign up.
"This is definitely a god time for everyone to get involved," Oldham said.
There will be a 21-gun salute before the walk and a couple hundred participants are expected.
The NSB Fire Department will lead the route and the opening anthem of "God Bless America" will be performed by Tia McDonald, a New Smyrna Beach High School freshman and teen columnist for NSBNEWS.net.
Also on hand will be Buddy Richardson and his freedom caboose truck. Richardson, 88, is a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
BEIJING OLYMPICS AWESOME
As for the Beijing Olympics, the thought that comes to mind is "awesome," from Baltimore's Michael Phelps and his 8 for 8 in gold medal performances in swimming to American gymnast Shawn Johnson's gold-medal performance on the balance beam to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt's record-breaking runs in the 200- and 400-meter races.
There's still time to vote in our Insta Poll on your favorite Olympics event or moment.
So far Michael Phelps is in front, followed by Ulsain Bolt, Shawn Johnson and the Redeem Team at the bottom.
GOOD RIDDANCE TO T. S. FAY
What a week for Mother Nature to turn ugly, but Southeast Volusia escaped Fay's wrath better than most of Central Florida.
To the south of us, Brevard County endured 30-plus inches of rain and a tornado touched down there. Closer to home in Volusia County, a 35-year-old tourist drowned in the Daytona Beach surf while standing in waist-deep water with her husband and thousands lost power.
Flooding continues to be a major problem in Deltona and DeBary. The fish camps in Oak Hill were nearly overrun by the riverbanks with docks under water.
OUR LOCAL COVERAGE OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION AND LOCAL TUESDAY PRIMARY
We'll be bringing you extensive local coverage of the Democratic National Convention, complete with reaction on the selection of Joe Biden as Barack Obama's running mate, the Hillary factor and Obama's theme of "change."
Of course, well also have a report on McCain with local reaction, plus we'll have our "Word on the Street" people poll, a nightly convention Webcast with Peter Mallory and local expert commentary from community columnists Gerry Tatham, retired Col. Irving Davidoff, Michael Visconti and others.
We'll also have up-to-the-minute wire services reports.
On Tuesday morning, we will post our "endorsements" of the candidates in the Tuesday primary for State Attorney and the 24th Congressional District.
State Attorney John Tanner is being challenged by R.J. Larizza of Port Orange in the Republican primary. There is no Democratic candidate, which mean Tuesday's winner becomes the state attorney-elect.
Incumbent Congressman Tom Feeney, the Republican from Oviedo, whose 24th Congressional district includes Southeast Volusia, s being challenged by Port Orange resident Jason Davis.
On the Democratic side, Suzanne Kosmas of New Smyrna Beach and a casualty of term limits in the Florida House of Representatives, goes up against fellow Democrat Clint Curtis of Titusville.
Gauurav Bhola of Orlando, registered as an Independent will appear on the ballot in November against the winner's of Tuesday's partisan primaries.