Shaw Air Force couple honors fallen SC soldiers

When Mike and Brandy Hill first came to South Carolina, they settled into life at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter the best way they knew – getting involved in local running groups.

Now, as founders of South Carolina Run for the Fallen, the couple has a mission to make sure that South Carolinians who died in military service are remembered.

They spent Sunday fundraising at the American Legion Richland Post 6 on Pickens Street. Seventeen vendors attended, with goods ranging from festival food to cosmetics.

On Nov. 5-6, 140 runners will go from Charleston to the State House in Columbia to remember those who have died since 9/11. The Hills are both in the Air Force, and military service is a tradition in their family.

“Our oldest son is active duty,” Brandy Hill said. “I’ve deployed multiple times. (Mike) has deployed multiple times. His father has deployed multiple times. My father went to wars when he was in (the military). It could have been any one of us.”

South Carolina is one of just nine states to host a Run for the Fallen, organizers said. Last year was the state’s first run, and the Hills aim to do things a little differently this year.

It costs about $6,000 to put on each run, the couple said. In 2015, they came up about $1,500 short – and covered that out of pocket. This year, they’re working early to get community support and get the message out to the public.

“We’re going to continue to do it, regardless if we’re under-funded or not,” Mike Hill said.

The couple approached the American Legion about six months ago, according to Marc Carroll, incoming post commander at Richland Post 6. Carroll said the American Legion hosted the fundraiser because it’s important for military folks and organizations to stick together and help each other.

“We’d never forget our fallen veterans (and) our families of our fallen,” Carroll said.

During the November run, participants will come from all branches of the military, organizers said. They also will be accompanied by state troopers in patrol vehicles, and motorcycle riders from the Green Knights Club.

“A lot of times with military members, they pass, and the only people that really know about it are their family, or close friends, or people they served with,” said Lindley Hummel, vice president of the Green Knights Club Chapter 58. “It’s a way of bringing recognition to them. These are heroes that died on the battlefield.”

Although this is a joint venture for the Hills, Brandy Hill won’t be able to run along with her husband – she’s set to deploy before November. But until then, they’ll soldier on together.

“We’ll get it all done,” Mike Hill said.

This story was originally published June 5, 2016 at 5:50 PM with the headline "Shaw Air Force couple honors fallen SC soldiers."