The Team EVA (Every Veteran Appreciated) organization ran their eighth consecutive 7 Marathons in 7 Days event. Ultra-marathon runner Eva Casale and her Team EVA ran over 184 miles in an effort to raise money for various veterans organizations on Long Island. From Sunday, April 14 to Saturday, April 20 they ran a minimum of 26.2 miles each day.
“This journey allows me to focus my passion for running into a powerful force for good, uniting Long Islanders in support of crucial programs and services for veterans,” says Casale. “It’s important to emphasize that ‘Every Veteran is Appreciated’ and to never forget their sacrifices,” she adds.
They started the event 8 years ago to “support our troops, honor our veterans, and remember our heroes.” They looked for different points of honor throughout their journey “to remember and honor those who serve our country.” At these points of honor, they paid tribute with flowers, cones, wreaths, and flags.
Points of honor are considered, memorials, monuments, veterans parks, schools, bridges, churches, firehouses, homes of the fallen, rural and national cemeteries, VFW Posts, American Legion Posts, signs dedicated to fallen heroes, Northport VA Hospital, LT. Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum, Warrior Ranch, Brookhaven Town Hall, Oyster Bay Town Hall, Bald Hill Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Marine Corps League, 106th Air National Guard Rescue Wing. Over 300 of these points of honor were emphasized on the run.
Their week-long journey spanned from East Rockaway to Shelter Island. Their opening ceremony started at the Huntington Town Hall honoring Gold Star Families.
On Monday, April 15, they started their run at the Long Island National Ceremony for Every Veteran Appreciated Day. Tuesday their run started at Lt. Michael P. Murphy Navy Seal Museum in West Sayville for Michael Murphy Day and Brookhaven Fallen Heroes.
Day four was South Shore Fallen Heroes’ Day at Memorial Park in East Rockaway. Team Bones, Calverton National Cemetery, and Warrior Ranch were honored on day five at Bartlett Pond Park in Middle Island. The second to last day was the 106th Air National Guard Fallen Heroes Day starting at Sag Harbor.
The last day was North Shore Fallen Heroes’ Day starting at Bayville’s West Harbor Beach Memorial Park. The closing ceremony took place at Glen Cove City Hall.
“Team EVA’s unwavering dedication to supporting and honoring Long Island’s veterans is truly commendable,” says Glen Cove City Mayor Pamela D. Panzenbeck.
They took $30 donations for people to run along with them and $35 donations for people to participate virtually and run anywhere a minimum of one mile each day during the week. Team EVA amassed over 1,472 miles in the eight years of doing this event. They came up with the idea for the 7 Marathons in 7 Days event when meeting with Gold Star Families at local 5k veterans runs. They decided to create a week-long event to honor and remember their loved ones.
About Team EVA
Team Every Veteran Appreciated, is a 501(c)3 Non-For Profit Organization whose mission is to raise awareness through remembrance, honor and support of our veterans. This is accomplished through the support of Veterans Organizations on Long Island.
For more information about Team EVA, visit goteameva.org
