On June 3, 1969 the USS Frank E. Evans collided with the USS Melbourne during War Games in the South China Sea. A large portion of the ship sunk, taking 74 men with it. The ship was returning from loading ammunition at Subic Bay when they were called to action. These men’s names do not have a place on the wall in Washington due to them not being in the war zone at the time of the accident. On Sunday, May 29th, athletes and locals ran in the Run to Remember 5K in North Wildwood to honor these people.
Along with honoring the USS Frank E. Evans, proceeds from Run to Remember this year went to the building of the North Wildwood Gold Star Families Memorial. Groundbreaking for this event took place on Monday, May 30th, following the 5k. “A Gold Star Family member is a club you don’t want to be in.” said Bill Davenport, coordinator of Run to Remember. A Gold Star family member is a spouse, child, parent, sibling or other whose loved one died in service to our nation.
MudHen Brewing Co. donated a portion of our sales from the 29th to Run to Remember along with a portion of Stateside Liquor sales from the Salute to the Veterans event that took place on April 21st. MudHen staff was also present the day of the 5k to show our support for our local veterans.