Indio Veterans Day 5k Run/Walk brings community together in honoring nation’s heroes
Cynthia White
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Indio hosted its 2nd annual Veterans Day 5k Run/Walk at the Empire Polo Grounds on Tuesday in recognition of those who served our country.
The event supported the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation and the American Legion Post 739.
Hunter Lopez and twelve fellow service members lost their lives at the August 2021 bombing attack at Kabul airport in Afghanistan.
Hunter’s father, Herman Lopez, said of the event and turnout, “It’s just a great reminder of the sacrifice that these young men and women went through at some point in their lives. It’s great to see veterans here of all different ages . . . to honor them, let them know that people remember what they’ve been through. There’s a lot of sacrifices that I think go unsaid and unrecognized. Not only by the veterans themselves but by their families, and you know, so much good has come out of today.”
Indio Mayor Glenn Miller said, “We thought about what we could do to help our veterans, help active duty military and those who might want to serve, and we decided to partner up with the Hunter Lopez Foundation and actually get a walk out so we can get a little bit of fitness in at the same time and raise some funds for veterans and other causes.”
Miller added that the event was sold out at 550 entrants, but more people showed up to participate. He expects next year’s event will reach up to 1,000 people taking part.