By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
More than 25 percent of West Windsor Township police officers are military veterans, including a handful of combat veterans, so it only seemed natural to hold a community-wide event to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.
Saturday morning, dedicated runners and fun runners alike will take part in a 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run at Carnegie Center — sponsored by West Windsor PBA 271 — to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The competitive 5K Run begins at 9:10 a.m., preceded by a 1-Mile Fun Run at 8:45 a.m.
The event is being billed as part of West Windsor PBA 271’s celebration of Armed Forces Day. President Harry Truman created Armed Forces Day in 1949 as a means to recognize the soldiers, sailors and airmen and also to educate civilians on the role of the military.
Sgt. Mark Lee, who is helping to organize the Saturday morning event, said the goal is to hold a competitive 5K race that is community-based and part of the West Windsor Police Department family. There are 13 police officers who are military veterans, and four of those 13 are combat veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“The Wounded Warrior Project and what it does for those heroes who were wounded while serving their country made so much sense for us,” Sgt. Lee said. Chief of Police Joseph M. Pica Jr., along with Mayor Shing Fu Hsueh and the West Windsor Township Council, are supportive of the race, he said.
