Wear Blue to Remember- Are you busy on Memorial Day?
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
We have something special planned for our community on Monday, May 26 from 8 am to 10 am at the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza. Free for the whole family!
Over the past few years, since the opening of the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza, our nonprofit group has had the honor of partnering with numerous veterans’ organizations across the region. Of all these collaborations, one that stands out and holds a special place in my heart is our ongoing connection with the Wear Blue: Run to Remember community.
Directed by Donica Graham and her dedicated team, Wear Blue has made a powerful and lasting impact. Their commitment to honoring our Gold Star families and keeping the memory of our fallen service members alive resonates deeply with the values of our memorial. Their efforts have brought meaning, healing, and community to countless individuals—both those who have served and those who remember.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Donica and ask her a few questions about the movement and its presence in our region.
When did you join this national group and bring it to our region?
“I first ran with Wear Blue on Memorial Day in 2016. I was training for the RTO and planned a run that day. My sister, Elizabeth Gerhart—who was stationed at Fort Bragg and already participating in Wear Blue—encouraged me to dedicate my miles to a fallen service member. In 2018, we launched the Wear Blue: Run to Remember Sparks community. Since July of that year, we’ve gathered on the first Saturday of every month at the Sparks Marina to continue honoring the fallen.”
What is the mission of Wear Blue?
“Our mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of our military members, support their families and the families of the fallen, and inspire health and camaraderie through running.
Wear Blue was founded in March 2010 following the redeployment of the 5-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, which suffered 41 combat losses during their time in Afghanistan. The Wear Blue insignia features 41 stars—one for each of those fallen soldiers. During that deployment, a small group of wives and battalion support staff began meeting weekly to run. From that bond of shared grief and strength, Wear Blue was born—a network built to support each other through unimaginable heartbreak.
Today, Wear Blue has grown into a powerful national network of military members, veterans, Gold Star and surviving families, and supportive civilians. We are united by a commitment to honor the fallen, support those who serve, and uplift families. Through active remembrance and meaningful relationships, we aim to promote healing, community, and inspired living.”
Do I have to run to participate?
“All ages and abilities are welcome. Whether you run, walk, or simply stand in solidarity, every step and every moment of presence matters.”
When is the next event?
“We invite the entire community to join us for our Memorial Day event, beginning at 8:00 AM at the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza.
The morning will feature music by DJ Funn, a performance of the National Anthem by Melissa Dahir, and the presentation of colors by the award-winning Spanish Springs High School Army JROTC color guard.
By joining us on Memorial Day, you help ensure that the sacrifices of our fallen heroes are never forgotten. Whether you’re walking in memory of a specific individual, supporting our military families, or simply seeking to be part of a meaningful cause, your participation is a living tribute to the spirit of service and sacrifice.”
A Testimonial from Jeff Bonilla
“Wear Blue! I’m so proud to have been part of the first chapter in the state of Nevada—Reno/Sparks since 2018! As a nurse at the Sierra Nevada VA Hospital for nearly 20 years, I was moved by the mission of Wear Blue. To honor our military fallen, I choose a name, research their story on Military Times, and join our community run to remember. It’s humbling and powerful to honor the fallen each month alongside others who care deeply.”
For the fallen. For the fighting. For the families.
