We must never forget these brave men and women
From 2001 to the present - 222 of Georgia's Soldiers have fallen
Fallen Heroes of Georgia, Inc. is a nonprofit that raises funds to support charities created in memory of a Fallen Georgia Soldier, and no members of Run for the Fallen are paid for their time or efforts.
The Annual Fallen Heroes of Georgia 5K Run
Each year, Fallen Heroes of Georgia hosts its annual memorial run at Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, GA 30518. This event brings together runners, military families, and community members to honor Georgia's 222 fallen soldiers while supporting the charities created in their memory.
Race Details
The event features three race distances to accommodate participants of all abilities: a 5K run, a 10K run, and a 1K fun run. All races are chip timed for accurate results. The 5K is an official Peachtree Road Race Qualifier, giving runners the opportunity to earn guaranteed entry into one of the world's largest 10K road races. Cash prizes are awarded to top finishers in both the 5K and 10K events.
Race Location
Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, GA 30518. The scenic course runs through the beautiful grounds of Lanier Islands on the shores of Lake Lanier, providing a memorable setting for this tribute to Georgia's fallen heroes.
Charities Benefited
All proceeds from the Fallen Heroes of Georgia Run go directly to the following charities created in memory of fallen Georgia soldiers:
- Evan Marshall Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Mike Stokely Foundation
- Fallen Family Foundation
- The Matthew Freeman Project
- Joshua Reeves Scholarship Fund
- Guardian Soldiers
Georgia's 222 Fallen Heroes
The following is a list of the 222 soldiers from the state of Georgia who have given their lives in service to our country since 2001. We honor each and every one of them.
“They fell, but o'er that glorious grave, floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.” -- Francis Marion Crawford
Frequently Asked Questions
Fallen Heroes of Georgia, Inc. is a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of Georgia soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization was founded with the mission of ensuring that the names and stories of these brave men and women are never forgotten, and that their families receive continued support from a grateful community.
The organization raises funds through events and donations to support charities that have been created in memory of fallen Georgia soldiers. These charities provide scholarships, family support, and other programs that directly benefit the loved ones left behind. No members of Run for the Fallen are paid for their time or efforts, meaning that every dollar raised goes directly to the cause.
Since 2001, 222 soldiers from the state of Georgia have given their lives in service to the country. Fallen Heroes of Georgia works to keep their memory alive through annual memorial events, community outreach, and partnerships with Gold Star families. The organization serves as a bridge between the military community and the civilian population, fostering understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made by these soldiers and their families.
The Fallen Heroes of Georgia 5K Run is an annual memorial race held at Lanier Islands, located at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, GA 30518. The event features multiple race distances including a 5K run, a 10K run, and a 1K fun run, making it accessible to participants of all ages and fitness levels. The race takes place on a scenic course through the beautiful grounds of Lanier Islands on the shores of Lake Lanier.
All races are chip timed for accurate results, and the 5K is an official Peachtree Road Race Qualifier, allowing runners to use their finish time to qualify for the prestigious Atlanta Peachtree Road Race. Cash prizes are awarded to top finishers in various age categories, adding a competitive element to this meaningful event. The race attracts hundreds of participants each year from across the state of Georgia and beyond.
Beyond the racing itself, the event serves as a memorial gathering where the names of all 222 fallen Georgia soldiers are read aloud and honored. Families of fallen soldiers are invited as special guests, and the event creates a space for the community to come together in remembrance. All proceeds from the race go directly to charities created in memory of fallen Georgia soldiers, making every registration and donation a direct contribution to these worthy causes.
The Fallen Heroes of Georgia Run supports six charities that were created in honor of fallen Georgia soldiers. The Evan Marshall Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Army Corporal Evan A. Marshall of Athens, Georgia, who was killed in action in 2008. This fund provides educational scholarships to deserving students in the Athens area. The Mike Stokely Foundation honors Army Sergeant Michael J. Stokely of Sharpsburg and Loganville, Georgia, who fell in August 2005, and works to support military families and veterans.
The Fallen Family Foundation provides direct support to the families of fallen soldiers, helping them navigate the challenges they face after losing a loved one in combat. The Matthew Freeman Project was created in memory of Marine Captain Matthew C. Freeman of Richmond Hill, Georgia, who was killed in Afghanistan in August 2009. This project focuses on leadership development and community service programs that embody Captain Freeman's values.
The Joshua Reeves Scholarship Fund honors Army Corporal Joshua H. Reeves of Watkinsville, Georgia, who gave his life in September 2007. This scholarship fund supports educational opportunities for young people in the Watkinsville community. Guardian Soldiers provides ongoing support and resources to military families, ensuring that the sacrifices made by Georgia's fallen heroes continue to be recognized and that their families are cared for in the years following their loss.
There are several meaningful ways to support the mission of Fallen Heroes of Georgia and the families of the state's fallen soldiers. The most direct way is to participate in the annual Fallen Heroes of Georgia 5K Run at Lanier Islands in Buford, Georgia. By registering for the 5K, 10K, or 1K fun run, you contribute financially to the charities supported by the organization while also joining a community of people committed to honoring these heroes.
Volunteering is another important way to get involved. The organization relies entirely on unpaid volunteers who donate their time and energy to make events possible. Volunteers are needed for race day logistics, event planning, community outreach, and year-round organizational support. Because no members of Run for the Fallen receive compensation, every volunteer effort directly strengthens the mission.
You can also support the cause by making direct donations to any of the six charities benefiting from the Fallen Heroes Run, including the Evan Marshall Memorial Scholarship Fund, Mike Stokely Foundation, Fallen Family Foundation, The Matthew Freeman Project, Joshua Reeves Scholarship Fund, and Guardian Soldiers. Spreading awareness about the sacrifices of Georgia's 222 fallen soldiers is equally valuable. Sharing the stories of these heroes with your community helps ensure that their memory endures and that the public remains connected to the true cost of the freedoms we enjoy.
The Fallen Heroes of Georgia Run features a comprehensive awards program designed to recognize top performers across all race distances. Cash prizes are awarded to the overall male and female winners in both the 5K and 10K races, providing a competitive incentive for elite runners. Age group awards are also presented, ensuring that runners of all ages have the opportunity to be recognized for their performance.
The 5K race holds particular significance for competitive runners because it serves as an official Peachtree Road Race Qualifier. The Peachtree Road Race, held annually on July 4th in Atlanta, is one of the largest and most prestigious 10K road races in the world. Achieving a qualifying time at the Fallen Heroes 5K grants runners guaranteed entry into this iconic event, making the Fallen Heroes Run a valuable race on the Georgia running calendar.
All races are chip timed using professional timing equipment to ensure accurate and verifiable results. The 1K fun run does not feature competitive awards but provides a welcoming environment for families and younger participants to take part in the event. Beyond individual awards, the event recognizes military families, Gold Star families, and community members who have made significant contributions to supporting Georgia's fallen soldiers and their loved ones.
From 2001 to the present, 222 soldiers from the state of Georgia have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. These men and women came from communities across the entire state, from large cities like Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, and Augusta to small towns like Soperton, Ellaville, Ambrose, and Mineral Bluff. Their ages ranged from 19 to 57, and they served in every branch of the United States military including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force.
The first Georgia soldier to fall was Army Specialist Jamaal R. Addison, 22 years old, from Lithonia, Georgia, who was killed on March 23, 2003. The toll continued steadily through the years of intense combat operations, with some of the heaviest losses occurring during the summer of 2005 when multiple Georgia soldiers were killed in a series of operations. Entire communities were affected, and in some cases, multiple soldiers from the same town gave their lives.
Fallen Heroes of Georgia maintains a complete record of all 222 fallen soldiers, including their name, rank, branch of service, age, and hometown. This list is read aloud at the annual memorial run and is displayed prominently at the organization's events. The goal is to ensure that no name is forgotten and that each soldier is remembered not just as a statistic, but as an individual who left behind a family, a community, and a legacy of service and sacrifice.