The 15th annual Eric D. Yates Memorial Run took on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Chaney’s Dairy Barn. Hosted by WKU Army ROTC, the run is meant to honor Yates, from Rineyville, Kentucky. According to WKU’s website, Yates graduated from WKU in 2008. While deployed in Iran, he was killed in action after an explosive device detonated near his patrol on Sept. 17, 2010, according to WKU’s website. All proceeds go towards a scholarship in his honor. Talisman website photographer Megan Geisler set out to capture the event.
Jemima Espino, a member of the WKU Army ROTC, volunteers at the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. She works to check people in and assign them their bib numbers. She also hands each participant a ticket for the raffle being held at the end of the race. (Photo by Megan Geisler)The top three finishers for both men and women are awarded medals and recognized at the end of the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Photo by Megan Geisler)A group of runners take a photo before participating in the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Photo by Megan Geisler)
Lieutenant General Johnny Davis speaks before the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. Davis served with Yates in combat and was his battalion commander. “I’m here to honor what he has done and show my support for him throughout my journey in life. I promised him that,” Davis said. (Photo by Megan Geisler)
Lieutenant David Schnaak and Big Red count down to the start of the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Photo by Megan Geisler)
James Simmons, a former instructor in the ROTC department, prepares to run during the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. “This is important to me and my family,” Simmons said. He said he ran the entire race with an army-style pack “to just make it suck a little bit more.” (Photo by Megan Geisler)Rex Boblett stretches before he begins the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13.“It’s good to show support for these brave men and women who are taking up the sword and defending our freedom,” Boblett said. “Mr. Yates is an inspiration to all of us, especially the younger generation.” (Photo by Megan Geisler)Brandon Smith and his son Joseph Smith run during the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. This is Joseph’s first 5k run. “It’s part of our culture,” Brandon said. “It’s also part of who we are, and we take care of each other and support each other. We want to take care and honor the Yates family.” (Photo by Megan Geisler)
Meghan Spalding brought her dog, Quinn, with her to participate in the two-mile walk for the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Photo by Megan Geisler)
Lieutenant General Johnny Davis runs during the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Photo by Megan Geisler)
In the final stretch, junior Rowen Wilkinson heads towards the finish line during the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. Wilkinson won first place with a time of 17 minutes and 37 seconds. (Photo by Megan Geisler)Eric Tollefson sits with his family after finishing the Eric D. Yates Memorial Run at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on Saturday, Sept. 13. Tollefson went to the same high school as Eric Yates, and they both were in the ROTC program. “I just like running in his memory, and I like seeing the cadets here,” Tollefson said. “The cadets host this program, that’s one of their projects when they go into their senior year; it’s just honoring him, and it has a special place in my heart.” (Photo by Megan Geisler)
