On May 16, community members will gather to honor fallen service members and first responders from the St. Louis area in the inaugural Rockwood Hero 5K & 1 M Run.

“It is a tribute to the veterans and first responders of Rockwood who have died in the line of duty, whether it be defending their country or their community,” Mike Bernec, AFJROTC instructor and event contributor, said.

The event is a spin off of the Peter Navarro BBQ, an event started in 2011 to honor Peter Navarro, a Lafayette student who passed away in 2005 while deployed overseas. The new event this year includes a 5K run and a one mile walk leading into the BBQ, as well as participation from multiple schools in Rockwood.

“This year the money raised will go back to the schools based on their level of participation, with the principals using that to support their academic achievement and award recognition programs,” Berenc said.

Currently the funds will go towards Rockwood high schools, but in the future Berenc hopes to benefit Rockwood’s middle and elementary schools as well.

“Let’s say [at] next year’s Rockwood Hero 5k, we could designate the middle schools as the recipients of the event. We’re also going to talk to the elementary schools to keep them abreast. Maybe in the year 2017 the district could say ‘Hey, lets give the money to the elementary schools.’ But one thing people need to understand is that this is not a fundraiser for junior ROTC, we are only facilitating it,” Berenc said.

People interested in the event who register through Fleet Feet before February 15 will receive an early bird rate of $20 for a 5k ticket and $16 for a mile walk ticket, including both a shirt and ticket for the BBQ after the runs.  Prices for both races will increase as the event becomes closer, going up to $22 and $18, respectively, after February 15. People not interested in running but still wanting to contribute can attend just the BBQ or make donations through the Fleet Feet website.

“We wanted it to be something fresh and this is something that if Rockwood embraces, could be a long living event that can generate good will in the community and funds for school programs. It’s a good cause and I think we owe it to the men and women who serve our country and this is a small way to do it,” Berenc said.