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The inaugural SSG Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run to remember fallen heroes

Posted at 12:35 PM, Aug 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-16 14:35:36-04

EAGLE, Idaho — Army SSG. Aaron Butler was killed in action when his special forces unit was hit in Afghanistan on August 16, 2017, Aaron's commander wants to make sure that people don't forget the sacrifice of his friend and all the heroes who have given their lives for this country.

This Saturday starting at 9:00 a.m. there will be a 5k and a 10k run run to bring the community together to make sure we never forget our fallen warriors.

“We want all the gold star families in the area to know that people still care even if they haven’t met us," said Dan Nelson who was the commander of Aaron Butler's special forces unit. "We know who their sons and daughters are.”

Dan Nelson and Dan Muguira both received purple hearts during their military service, but they made it clear that this event isn't about them and Nelson provided some insight on what kind of soldier Aaron Butler was.

“Aaron Butler was a type of guy in a group of meat eaters that made us all look like vegans," said Nelson.

Nearly 600 people have signed up to run in this race, veterans from the Idaho State Veterans home will show up, there will be a raffle and all the proceeds will go towards the Chief Joseph Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

“Just sign up, show up and embrace the suck," said Muguira. "It is going to be a good time, it’s going to be a good race.”

For more information on the inaugural SSG. Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run click here.