Runners gather for 8th anniversary of IHOP shooting for Memorial Run, Walk
On Sept. 6, 2011, Nevada Guardsmen Lt. Col. Heath Kelly, 35, Master Sgt. Christian Riege, 38, Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, 31, and Florence Donovan-Gunderson, 67, lost their lives in a senseless crime, when a man entered the Carson City IHOP and opened fire.
Now, eight years later, their memories are kept alive by their friends and family, and by the community they called home.
Runners, law enforcement, guardsman, and family members gathered at 7 a.m. in the IHOP parking lot Friday morning for the annual Memorial Run, Walk.
Lily Hansen, 23, the daughter of McElhiney, and retired Maj. Ken Curtwiler, 62, who is the father of McElhiney, were present for the run. Curtwiler runs every year with his daughter's name plaque and flag.
Participants ran the 5-kilometer route from the restaurant to the Office of the Adjutant General complex at 2460 Fairview Drive in Carson City, at which all three guardsman worked.