Run to benefit Clarkston Memorial Fund

By Bev Woodruff, Staff Writer

Next weekend, locals will have the opportunity to participate in a healthy activity that will benefit a worthy cause during a 5K Memorial Run.

All proceeds from the run will go to benefit the Sgt. Thomas Lee Clarkston, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Union County Foundation. The run will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the Union County Middle School. After the race, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence will give a Memorial address.

Clarkston, or T.J. to his family and friends, was a 2009 graduate of Union County High School, who died in the service of his country on Dec. 21, 2006. On that Dec. night a few days before Christmas, Clarkston took the place of a fellow soldier who wanted to go to an early Christmas celebration. Although Clarkston was under no obligation, he willingly took the place of his fellow countryman, a final example of the man he was. Later that night, the aircraft crashed, killing Clarkston and two other soldiers.

Clarkston’s body was brought home for burial and the community mourned with his family and friends at a memorial service held in the Union County High School gymnasium.

In 2007, his parents established the Sgt. Thomas Lee Clarkston, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Union County Foundation in his memory. Clarkston’s legacy lives on through the scholarship fund. Each year, a scholarship is awarded to a UCHS college-bound senior who is a member of the UCHS band and maintains a 3.5 GPA.

The fund is supported by generous contributions from residents of Union County and the surrounding community and through fundraisers such as the 5K Memorial Run next weekend. The run is being sponsored by Whitewater RVs and Belden.

Cost of the run is $10 per person and children under 10 years of age may participate at no charge. For those who may not be able to participate, but want to donate to the Clarkston scholarship fund, checks may be written to the Union County Foundation Sgt.Thomas Lee Clarkston, Jr. Memorial Fund and mailed to the Union County Foundation, Inc., 404 Eaton Street, Liberty, Ind. 47353.

The Union County Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit community foundation and all contributions are tax deductible.

Make plans now to participate in this special run honoring the memory of Union County native Sgt. Thomas Lee Clarkston, Jr. Anyone with questions about the run should contact Clarkston, Sr. at tom.clarkston@belden.com.