ALLEGANY, N.Y. — When Fort Hood shooting victim Maj. Patrick Miller returns home this weekend to serve as grand marshal in Saturday’s Old Home Days Parade, he’ll first take some time to help his friend and former high school coach.
And a CNN camera crew is expected to capture the event.
Miller returns to his hometown this weekend for the first time since the April 2 shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, that killed four, including the gunman, and injured 16. A two-tour veteran of the Iraq War, Miller was shot in the stomach as he helped others find cover.
The Allegany-Limestone and St. Bonaventure University graduate will get a hometown hero’s welcome at Saturday’s Grand Parade, which will march down Main Street starting at 6:30 p.m.
First, however, Miller will be among the 200 or so participants in Saturday morning’s “Run4Wilbs,” a 5K run/walk benefitting Allegany-Limestone physical education teacher and coach Mike Wilber.
The race, which begins at River Park on Union Street at 8:30 a.m., will raise funds to help send Wilber’s four children to watch him compete in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon in Malibu, Calif., in September as a member of CNN’s Fit Nation Team.
“Pat contacted me and let me know that he and his wife, Ashley, will walk in the event when they’re home this weekend,” said Wilber. “I coached Pat in football and track and field, and it’s just awesome that he’ll be able to make it.”
Wilber is one of six people chosen for CNN’s Fit Nation Team who will participate at the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, Sept. 13-14. The team, headed by CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, will compete in a half-mile swim, 18-mile bike ride and 4-mile run.
This is the fifth year CNN has recruited “iReporters” for its Fit Nation Team. Wilber, a stroke victim and overweight, was chosen based on a video application he submitted in which the single parent of four children said he was ready for a lifestyle change.
He’s been training since January, has dropped about 70 pounds and hopes to lose 40 more before the triathlon in September.
While CNN is paying for Wilber’s training, equipment and travel expenses, his friends are raising funds so that his four children, ranging in age from 13 to 25, can travel to California to watch their father participate.
All profits from Saturday’s “Run4Wilbs” event will be used to help offset the cost of sending Wilber’s children, Mike Jr., Mitchell, Kylee and Kelsey, to Malibu.
To help tell Wilber’s story as part of the Fit Nation team, CNN is sending a camera crew to document the “Run4Wilbs” event, said Wilber.
“It’s going to be a tremendous day and we’re really looking forward to it,” he said.
In addition to the walk/run, there will be raffles and a bake sale. Child care and activities for children will be available during the race.
The race entry fee is $25 per person.
To register or for additional information, visit the “Run4Wilbs” website at www.runsignup.com/Race/NY/Allegany/Run4Wilbs.
