Journal Entry For September 25 - October 1, 2005

Missoula, Montana Weather Conditions: mid-60 degree temperatures and mostly sunny (autumn leaves are beginning to show)

4th Grade Distance Completed This Week: 49 miles

4th Graders' Location and Total Distance: Roosevelt, Washington on Highway 14. [Trek Total: 231 miles]

5th Grade Distance Completed This Week: 66 miles

5th Graders' Location and Total Distance: 10 miles past Roosevelt, Washington on Highway 14. [Trek Total: 241 miles]

Quote To Think About: "Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos." (Don Kardong, 1976 Olympic Marathoner)

This journal entry was written October 1. This was such a fun week for the 4th and 5th grade students! They had an article written about their virtual trek in the local newspaper, the Missoulian. You can read the article online here. It was a real encouragement to them and a wonderful opportunity for the community to learn about this year-long trek that is only a small part of their overall physical education curriculum. Also, we received a wonderful note of encouragement from a soldier in Iraq. You can read that note below. This run/walk project is impacting lives around the United States (through other schools that are modeling our trek), and now it is impacting lives in a war zone!

The classes continued on Highway 14 this week along the Columbia River. They encountered some interesting locations, such as a full-scale replica of England's famous Stonehenge, in Maryhill, Washington. Maryhill's "Stonehenge" was built by Sam Hill as a tribute to the soldiers of Klickitat County, Washington, who lost their lives in World War I. It is claimed to be the first monument in our nation to honor the dead of World War I. The students also encountered the John Day Dam. This week truly brought the students out of any wooded countryside into the open, wind-swept flatlands of southern Washington that they will experience for the next couple of weeks.

Currently, the students are in Roosevelt, Washington - the population being only 79. The elementary school there averages 20 students total in grades K through 5. In Roosevelt there is a large rock called the "Apollo Rock" with a plaque mounted on it which reads: "Roosevelt, WA 99356 - Elevation: 367 ft. - Population: Yes". At the bottom of the plaque is an explanation that the rock was unearthed by the Apollo Construction Company. Click here to learn more about Roosevelt, Washington.

Hello kids. My name is Aaron Lohr. I am a soldier in the United States Army currently serving in Iraq. I read about your virtual run across America in the Missoulian. I think it is an amazing thing you guys are doing. I am not going to say good luck on accomplishing your goal. I am going to say congrats. See, I was kid growing up in Missoula MT and I know you kids aren't just going to try and reach your goal. I know you will succeed in it. So congrats, and keep up the hard work. Will follow you the entire way. Thanks for the inspiration you have also given me. Supporting you always...

SPC Aaron J. Lohr
U.S. Army Operations Specialist
Stationed in Iraq

Note: Mr. Lohr also wrote the following note to Paul & Vicki, the Run/Walk Across America organizers. We're sharing it because we want others to know that this project is not only impacting the lives of students across America who are doing virtual treks because their teachers were inspired by our journey, but it is also impacting people outside the field of education.

Mr. and Mrs. Staso: My name is Aaron Lohr. I am a soldier in the U.S. Army. I read the recent article in the Missoulian online about the virtual run across America that the kids are doing. I was greatly impressed with the idea and the enthusiasm, in which the kids seem to have for the project. I am a Missoula native, and was interested in using your idea in motivating some of my soldiers in to getting up and running a little more by placing a challenge to them - to try and match what your students do. I was wondering how often your kids run, and how much time they spend doing it? Also I thought that if the 4th and 5th graders knew that they were racing a bunch of Army guys and were beating them, that might motivate them to keep going. Anyways I thought it was a great idea, and I was very impressed with how the kids responded. Congrats, you must be a wonderful teacher.

SPC Aaron J. Lohr
U.S. Army Operations Specialist
Stationed in Iraq
_________________________________________________________________________________________

My class (in Portland) has taken the challenge. We have 23 in our class and we think that we can do the entire 3,200 miles ourselves. We finished our 3rd day of running and have completed just over 60 miles. I don't know if we can keep up with you but we're going to try! Thanks to the Staso's and Russell Elementary. We're right behind you.

Mr. Robert Remler
4th Grade Teacher - Ventura Park Elementary School
Portland, Oregon
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Good Luck in your journey. I coach a CYO track team in Glen Cove, New York and plan on sharing this website with them. We will keep an eye on your progress.

Gene Rooney
Youth Coach - CYO Track Team
Glen Cove, New York
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Kids! I was your Librarian when the 4th graders were in Kindergarten and the 5th graders in 1st grade! I learned about your trip in our Miles City paper and also read about it in the online version of the Missoulian. What an experience this is for you! I'll be checking your progress each week -- keep up the good work!

Karen Huckins
Miles City, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear students: Come on we can do it! You guy's are so funny sometimes, so have fun.

Damian
4th Grade Participating Student
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hey, come on 4th grade - we're like 57 miles behind. Keep running!

Baylee
4th Grade Participating Student
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Great story in the paper!!  What fun, keep running!!  Go 5th graders!!!

Cathy Gydas
Aunt of a 5th Grade Participant
Missoula, Montana

Click Here To Return To The Main Journal Menu

The Following Web Sites May Be Of Interest To You:

KidsHealth.org | PaceRun.com | PElinks4u.org