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Associated Press
2 hours ago
- General
- Associated Press
Thousands take part in Gaudreau Family 5K walk and run in honor of brothers John and Matthew
SEWELL, N.J. (AP) — A few days after brothers John and Matthew Gaudreau died when they were struck by a driver while riding bicycles on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding, family friends were visiting parents Guy and Jane at their home during a rainstorm. Looking outside after the skies cleared, they saw a double rainbow that brought them some momentary peace. Since then, Jane Gaudreau had not gotten any signs she attributed to her sons, so she sat in their room Friday and asked them for some divine intervention to clear out bad weather in time for an event to honor their legacies. After a brief scare of a tornado watch the night before, a rainbow appeared Saturday morning about an hour before the sun came out for the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Day. 'I was so relieved,' Jane said. 'I was like, 'Well, there's my sign.'' Thousands attended the event at Washington Lake Park in southern New Jersey, a place John and Matthew went hundreds of times as kids and around the corner from Hollydell Ice Arena, where they started playing hockey. Roughly 1,100 people took part in a walk or run in person, along with more than 1,300 virtually in the U.S., Canada and around the world. 'I think it speaks to them as a family, how close they were and how everybody loved being around them,' said Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, one of a handful of NHL players who were close to the Gaudreaus and made a point to be there. 'You just see the support from this community and from other players as well that are here and traveled in. It just says a lot about Johnny, Matty, their legacy and this family as a whole, how much support they have because they're such amazing people.' Along with honoring the NHL star known as 'Johnny Hockey' and his younger brother family and friends called Matty, the goal of the event was to raise money for an accessible playground at Archbishop Damiano School where Jane and her daughter Kristen work. It was a cause John and Matthew had begun to champion in honor of their grandmother Marie, who spent 44 years at the school and died in 2023. It became their mother's project after their deaths. 'Jane works every day with children with disabilities, and she knew how important it was for the playground to be built,' said family friend Deb Vasutoro, who came up with the idea for a 5K. 'The playground has been a project for, I think, four or five years, and there just never was enough funding. When the boys passed and Jane needed a purpose, she thought, 'Let's build the playground.' It was the perfect marriage of doing something good to honor the boys and seeing children laugh and smile.' The Rev. Allain Caparas from Gloucester Catholic High School, which the brothers attended and played hockey for while growing up in Carneys Point, said raising funds for the playground is an extension of the impact they had on the community. 'They're continuing to make a difference in the lives of so many others,' Caparas said. 'Johnny and Matthew lived their lives with purpose, and now we're celebrating that.' Social media filled with mentions from folks in Columbus and Calgary, the NHL cities in which John Gaudreau played, and as far away as Ireland and Sweden. Paul O'Connor, who has been tight with the Gaudreau family from son Dalton being childhood best friends with Matthew, couldn't empty out his inbox because he kept getting notifications about signups and donations. 'It just keeps growing,' O'Connor said. 'And people that couldn't be here, they're doing a virtual (5K). If they can't do either, they're just throwing money at the cause.' Tears welled up in the eyes of Guy and Jane as they talked about the event. His speech to the crowd was brief and poignant at the same time. 'I'd like to thank everybody for coming,' Guy said after running the 5K. 'It really means a lot to Jane and the girls and the family. We miss the boys, and it really means a lot for us to have you here to honor my boys. Thank you.' The sea of people first in the rain and then the sunshine included folks in gear from all across hockey. Tkachuk wore a 'Johnny Hockey' hoodie with Gaudreau's name and No. 13 on the back. He handed sticks, collected from various vigils in late August and early September, to race winners along with fellow players Erik Gudbranson, Zach Aston-Reese, Tony DeAngelo and Buddy Robinson. 'Our family wouldn't have missed this,' Gudbranson said after flying in Friday night following a trip to Walt Disney World. 'Hockey's a very tight community. It's still a tragedy. We miss the boys.' The aim is to hold the event annually moving forward, potentially in Calgary and Columbus. 'We thought this was such a good thing to honor the boys we want to keep it up,' Jane said. 'I just think each year it'll just get better and better.' ___ AP NHL:
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Under the baobab: Devoted volunteers ensure fallen heroes are honored
Memorial Day is a sacred time when we honor our fallen heroes and sheroes. Last Saturday morning, Terry McGrory rose at the crack of dawn, as he has for the last 40 years. He gathered the flags he had gotten from the Veterans Association. He called his family to meet him at the Centre County Memorial Cemetery. Then he called a dozen or so volunteers with the same message. Rob Brown, a Vietnam vet, wasn't feeling well. His wife Linda asked if she could go instead. When the sun came up and they could read the tombstones, they fanned out over the cemetery. They erected 2,000 flags before 9 a.m. 'We want to get them in place before their families came to visit,' Terry said. The CCMC was the first of several cemeteries the team would service that morning. One of them, the Marysville African Methodist Episcopal resting place, had been abandoned years before. The church that cared for it has also disappeared. Only one grave site could still be recognized, Aaron Delige. Terry located Aaron's grave through info from the VA. He had graciously called to ask if I would like to place the flag on his grave. I was honored. Two other members of Aaron's family are listed among the U.S. Colored Troops from the Civil War on the monument in front of the Centre County Courthouse. They are among the 200,000 African Americans who enlisted in the Union Army. One of these was my great-great grandfather, Curtis McKenzie. My dad, also a vet, served during World War II in the segregated American Army. He later served in Korea and Vietnam. Behind the scenes Terry, Rob, Linda and the rest are heroes, paying tribute to our veteran ancestors who defended our country with their last measure of devotion. We thank all of them for their unheralded efforts. As part of the weekend, The Boalsburg Village Conservancy presented the 161st Memorial Day Service. Boalsburg is arguably the birthplace of Memorial Day, which began in 1864 when three women — Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and Elizabeth Myers — decorated the graves of their loved ones. On Saturday, Jeff Brown acted as Master of Ceremonies. Pastor Jody Reese gave the invocation and benediction. The Level Best Quartet sang the national anthem. A presentation of stories about Boalsburg Civil War vets was given by Daughters of Union Veterans, Tent 62 which included Rebecca Crossley and Karen Hazel. The traditional firing of the cannons was conducted by Battery B. John Leskowicz played taps and Tracey Moriarty played 'Amazing Grace' on the pipes. Local political leaders including state Rep. Paul Takac and County Commissioner Mark Higgins were present. Other Happy Valley happenings Penn State music professor Tony Leach's spirit cascaded through the hundreds of people who overflowed Pasquerilla Spiritual Center for his 'Celebration of Life Through Song' tribute. The program lifted our hearts as we celebrated Tony's life, work and grace. Rev. Tabitha P. Lewis was officiant and gave the eulogy. Members of Tony's family, Bishop Myron Leach, Makayla Leach, Cynthia Leach and Neal Holter offered remarks and songs. A 200-voice choir, conducted by Eric Williamson, included many former Essence members including Orieyama Linebarger, Alfie Parker, Melanie Gerald, Kiena Williams, Sean Lynch, Fran Bettyow, Cori Avery, Christyn Geary, Ron Johnson. Clergy and dignitaries also included: Rev Elizabeth Eckman, Rev. Herbert Jones, Rev. Viola Bradford and Robert Drafall. Centre Safe Executive Director Jennifer Pencek welcomed folks to their 50th anniversary awards luncheon. Gina and John Ikenberry were recognized as Philanthropists of the Year. Douglas Hearn received the Community Service Award; Corporate Partner of the Year was Mount Nittany Health. The Bellefonte and Penns Valley area school districts shared the Partners in Prevention Award. Also present were Sue Paterno and County Commissioner Amber Concepcion. Après la pluie le beau temps. Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party's nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
100km walk in honour of fallen military and emergency services members
Patrick Armstrong and Heather Pham are getting ready to take part in a 100 kilometre walk this weekend, which will raise money to buy defibrillators to donate in honour of Ontario's fallen soldiers, paramedics, police officers, and firefighters. 'I personally believe that it is our duty as the living to tell the stories of those that have gone before,' said Armstrong. Armstrong started the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund in honour of his beloved friend and fellow OPP officer Dave Mounsey, who was killed in the line of duty in 2006. To date, 207 defibrillators have been donated by the Mounsey Fund to be placed in arenas, churches, community centres, and businesses across Ontario. One such defibrillator was recently donated to the North Huron Fire Department in honour of OPP Const. Vu Pham, killed in the line of duty in March 2010. Vu's son Jordan is a volunteer firefighter for the department. 100 km In a Day fundraiser Heather Pham with her son Jordan, donating a defibrillator to the North Huron Fire Department in May 2025, in honour of Vu Pham, an OPP officer killed in the line of duty in 2010. Jordan Pham is a volunteer firefighter with the North Huron Fire Dept. (Source: North Huron Fire Department) 'It's just so helpful for the family members to know that they're not alone, and that the sacrifice will always be remembered. Their loved ones will always be remembered,' said Heather Pham, Vu's wife. Heather Pham and two of her sons will be one of 20 families walking with Armstrong and members of the Mounsey Fund across Perth County this weekend. Their other son Josh Pham won't be there. He'll be on shift with the Parry Sound OPP, following in his late father's footsteps, starting in the same detachment 30 years after his father did. 'Josh has been for a long time talking about joining the OPP. So, I knew that it was coming. I'm not going to say that it was easy to see him drive off for his first shift, but as a parent, I want to support and honor his goals and dreams, despite my own anxieties,' said Heather. 100 km In a Day fundraiser Heather Pham with her son, Josh, who is now an OPP officer, following in his late father Vu's footsteps, seen in May 2025. (Source: Heather Pham) Along with Pham, fallen emergency responders like Captain Graham Emslie of the Sarnia Fire Service, who died in the line of duty in 2016, will be honoured during the 100 km walk. Members of North Perth Deputy District Fire Chief Ken Rea's family will take part. Rea died in the line of duty in Listowel in 2011. Master Corporal Anthony Klumpenhouwer will also be remembered. The Perth County native died in Afghanistan in 2007. 'We have the honour, not only of donating defibrillators out to the public, but to remember these fallen heroes and their families,' said Armstrong. 100 km In a Day fundraiser Patrick Armstrong walking in the 2024 100 km In a Day fundraiser. (Source: Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund) 'My family and I participate in the 100 Kilometre In a Day every year. And we will do so for as long as the fund continues to remember the sacrifice of our fallen first responders. In doing so, they create time and space to keep their memory alive. And not just for the family members, but for the community as a whole,' said Heather Pham. You can learn more and donate to buy more defibrillators, by following this link. You can follow their progress over the weekend, by following Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund on Facebook.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Teacher's Day celebration held in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate
Ibra: North Al Sharqiyah Education Department on Thursday honoured more than 140 teaching staff members from North Al Sharqiyah Governorate during a celebration marking Teachers' Day for School Year 2024-2025. The ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education. It was attended by members of the State Council, government officials, private sector representatives and members of the administrative and teaching staff from the governorate's schools. At the closing of the ceremony, Dr. Madiha handed over certificates of felicitation to 144 top performers, including staff of teaching and administrative departments and educational support bodies operating at North Al Sharqiyah schools.
Fox News
4 days ago
- General
- Fox News
The Fundamental Question Associated With Sacrifice
Yesterday, many of us gathered with loved ones to honor the brave men and women who selflessly served our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. As Memorial Day passes, Trey reflects on a simple, yet gripping question: Is our country living up to the ideals and vision of those who died defending it? Trey shares why he believes the most meaningful way to honor America's fallen heroes is by striving to ensure the answer to that question is 'yes' — because each of us has a role to play in strengthening and unifying the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
