Craig Morgan and Special Operations Troops Run 335-Mile Relay to Raise Money for Children of Fallen Warriors

September 10, 2004 -- Broken Bow Records country star Craig Morgan and members of America's elite Special Operations forces will run a 335-mile relay from Fayetteville, NC to Washington, DC to raise money for some very special children - children of special operations forces who died as a result of an operational mission or training accident - during the 7th Annual Warrior Relay Run, September 13 - 16, 2004. Craig will run the last leg of the four-day relay arriving at the Memorial to American Special Operators in Arlington Cemetery on September 16 at approximately 3pm.
   
"Any time I have the opportunity to maintain my support for the military, I'm proud to do so," says Craig Morgan. "This relay run raises money for a great cause - providing college educations to the children of fallen special operations soldiers."
   
Morgan, whose 2004 hit single, "Almost Home," was recently named Song of the Year at the Music Row Awards, became an early-to-rise, hands-on guy when just two years out of high school he joined the military and proceeded to pound out a rigorous but incredibly rewarding decade-long career as a soldier.
   
Craig's duty stations included Korea, where he trained at the grueling ROK Ranger School, and Panama, where he aided in the U.S.-led effort to oust Manuel Noriega during Operation Just Cause. As part of his service, Craig became a rappel master, a jump master and later assisted in training elite combat units and monitored the utilization of Air Force equipment in Army operations. He's jumped out of planes with a 65-pound pack, landed under fire and marched 50 miles to his assigned location.
   
"We are deeply appreciative of Craig Morgan's generosity and support for the children of fallen special operations personnel," said John T. Carney, Jr. president of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. "Taking time out of his hectic tour schedule to participate in this fundraising event speaks volumes about his character, and the Warrior Foundation is very appreciative of his support."   
   
During the four-day relay, special operations personnel will show their courage and dedication in a different way - by running and carrying the American flag from Fayetteville, NC to Washington, DC to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation while honoring those fallen comrades who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
   
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is a non-profit 501 (C)(3) organization that provides college educations to the children of fallen special operations personnel since 1980. Since the terrorist attack in September 2001, the special operations community has lost 108 personnel, leaving behind 145 children. Since the foundation's inception in 1980, America has lost 431 special operations personnel who have left behind 523 children. Today the foundation has nearly 100 students enrolled in colleges and universities across the country. They were recently awarded a 4-star rating for financial efficiency by an independent charity evaluator.
    
The 7th Annual Warrior Relay Run will begin with a pre-run kick-off celebration on Sunday, Sept. 12, sponsored by Outback Steakhouse. The kick-off celebration will be held at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, N.C. from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum, tells the story of US Army airborne and special operations units from 1940 to the present. The majestic $22.5 million museum has been called a "cathedral" by veterans of Army special operations, and provides a fitting backdrop for the start of the run.
    
The kick-off celebration, which is by invitation only, will honor fallen special operations forces and the families they left behind as well as provide support to the relay runners and their family members.         
   
Craig's current single, "Look At Us," from his Broken Bow Records debut album, I LOVE IT, is currently at #26 on R&R and #28 on Billboard. Craig co-penned "Look At Us" with Larry Bastion and Buddy Cannon.

4 DAYS - 335 MILES
Sept. 13    Fayetteville, NC to Wilson, NC (8:00 am) Runners depart the Airborne & Special Operations Museum - 100 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville, NC
Sept. 14    Wilson, NC to Petersburg, VA
Sept. 15    Petersburg, VA to Fredericksburg, VA
Sept. 16    Fredericksburg, VA to Washington, DC
(3:00 pm) Runners depart from the Iwo Jima Memorial and run to Arlington Cemetery





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