Run for Fun, Support Veterans

ROWLEY – If you would like to do more this Veterans Day than thank veterans for their service, join in the fun Saturday for a 5-kilometer run/walk. And bring your children for a 1-mile fun run.
The Rowley Volunteer Fire Protection Association (RVFPA) is hosting this first-ever event to help raise funds for the Rowley Veterans Committee (RVC) to support the almost 300 veterans who live here.
Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician Merissa Titus-Abate, who is also vice president of the RVFPA, organized the event.
She said she was inspired by the Rowley veterans who make up about 6 percent of the town population. “We wanted them to know they are heard,” she said.
The 277 male and 20 female veterans are facing multiple challenges throughout their careers, the race organizers wrote. “Their enhanced training and advanced technologies have given them the ability to provide extreme medical care in the field which has allowed many active military members to be brought home. Due to some extensive injuries and long-term health effects they will need more services in the future to enable their quality of life.”
Melissa was also inspired to help veterans by her grandfather, John Joseph Titus, a World War II Army veteran who played a large role in her life. Titus was proud to be a veteran, she wrote of him.
“Prior to his passing, he received care at the VA hospitals and VA rehabilitation centers. I just want to make sure the Rowley veterans are able to receive that same care here in town,” she wrote in an email. She hopes the event can motivate Rowley community members to bring veterans meals in their homes, mow their lawns or do simple tasks around their homes, giving them rides to appointments and ensuring they know we are here to support them.
She said the relationship she is building with the Rowley Veterans Committee, and its chairman Bob Breaker, is still in its infancy stages, she hopes it will become a part of her daily life.
“Veterans are not just an important part of our community, but they are important to this country and they are the reason we get to live the lives we do today,” she wrote.
Merissa initially set herself a goal of raising $5,000 in donations for the event. As of last week, the race had more than $11,000 pledged from a variety of local companies, including Chicadee Farm, Knowles Petroleum, Agawam Dinner and Bradford Tavern.
This does not include race fees that are $40 for adults and $20 for children.
The race begins at 9 a.m., Nov. 11, at the Town Common and takes them through town beginning and ending at Summer Street. The children’s fun run, two laps around the Common, will kick off at 8:30 a.m.
Following the race, the Rowley Veterans Committee will host the Veteran’s Day Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. that includes a flag raising and salute at 11:11 a.m. at the memorial monuments in front of the Rowley Town Hall.
After the race, there will hot dogs, grilled by Rehab 5 of Salem, one for $3, two for $5 and five for $10.
Three Sweet Peas will have a table filled with cookies and pastries.
Raffles will include a veterans’ quilt, made by Maureen Bussone; a firefighter basket; a junior firefighter basket; Tractor Supply gift basket and a veteran-inspired backets. Gift cards were donated by the Rowley Country Club, Bradford Tavern, Royal Orchid and El Tapatio.
Joint Operations will have a booth. Cherry Health Group of Rowley will be providing free postural exams.
ServPro of Haverhill donated water and Gatorade for the race.
All residents of Rowley and surrounding communities to join us for this amazing event to support our local Veterans.