OGUNQUIT — A large crowd gathered early today at Veterans’ Park to honor 65 men and women from Maine who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

About 150 people participated in the Run for the Fallen, a noncompetitive run from Ogunquit to Portland to commemorate soldiers who have died since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Additional Photos

Elizabeth Fulton, whose brother died in Afghanistan, kneels before markers at Veterans’ Park in Ogunquit today before the Run for the Fallen, a noncompetitive run from Ogunquit to Portland to commemorate soldiers who have died since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Melanie Creamer/Staff Writer

The names of the fallen soldiers were read at a ceremony before the 40-mile run/walk to Monument Square. Along the 65 kilometer route, there are pictures and a short biography of the fallen soldiers.

One of the participants is Elizabeth Fulton, whose brother, Army Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk, was killed Oct. 3 in a battle in northern Afghanistan.

Fulton knelt down at her brother’s marker before she began the walk.

Kirk was one of eight U.S. troops and two Afghan security force members killed when militants opened fire on an outpost with rockets, mortars and heavy-caliber machine guns, according to an initial military report.

Kirk, 30, was born in Thomaston. In the fall of 2004, he enrolled in the construction technology program at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. In spring of 2005, he enlisted in the Army.

“I’m walking to remember him and honor him,” Fulton said. “It’s because of him and soldiers like him that we are standing here today, able to do these things. He died for us. The least I can do is walk for him.”

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