SOUTH DEERFIELD — Seven years after the death of her daughter, U.S. Navy corpsman Meaghan Burns, South Deerfield resident Carolyn Burns is ensuring that the names of fallen services members are not forgotten.
Burns is spearheading a memorial event in coordination with the national nonprofit “wear blue: run to remember,” which seeks to honor the sacrifice of the American military while supporting the families who live with that loss every day. The event, to be held Sunday, May 24, at 9 a.m. at Frontier Regional School, will begin with a circle of remembrance and a rendition of the national anthem before a walk around downtown Deerfield.
“The is the third time we’ve had it, the second year in a row,” Burns said this week. “By speaking names of the fallen, you ensure that they’re never forgotten.”
Visit wearblueruntoremember.org/memorial-day to register for Sunday’s walk for free. Residents can join the South Deerfield event, which will be held rain or shine, or participate virtually from anywhere.
Event participants are invited to carry a name. When people register, they may receive the name of a fallen service member through wear blue’s Hero Match program or choose to honor someone who is personally meaningful to them.
“It’s solemn when we do the circle of remembrance, but on the other hand, we’re also celebrating them and their lives,” Burns reflected. “There are laughs and stories, and just honoring them the best way that we can, and that’s through their stories. I feel like it’s uplifting.”
Burns’ daughter Meaghan, a 2013 Frontier graduate, was 23 when she was one of three Navy corpsmen shot to death at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Portsmouth, Virginia, in a double homicide and suicide on May 4, 2019. Meaghan’s friend, Shianne Taylor Soles, 19, of Veradale, Washington, was also killed by Donavon Moora, 22, of New York, who was then found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a vehicle parked nearby. Meaghan was stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.
Carolyn Burns said she became involved with wear blue: run to remember a few years after her daughter’s death.
“We heal through building relationships and community, and it’s really helped me with my healing process,” she said. “I just wanted to be able to give back to the community.”
