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The Miles for Mills 5K was held May 29 at the Brunswick Landing on Admiral Fitch Avenue. From left are Michael Hughes, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Travis Mills and Charissa Kerr. Kerr is an active firefighter in Raymond and Windham. She has been with the Raymond Fire Department since 2003 and at Windham Fire Department since 2019. Mills is the founder of the Travis Mills Foundation. Hughes, a retired soldier and firefighter, served as captain in Raymond before retiring in 2020. He continues to serve as vice president of the auxiliary association. Submitted photo

BRUNSWICK — Memorial Day is a somber and special occasion at the Travis Mills Foundation, recognized annually by the Miles for Mills 5K to remember all those who lost their lives while in service to this country and to also celebrate coming together for the nation’s recalibrated veterans.

More than 1,000 runners and walkers came together at this year’s event to raise $150,000 for the foundation. Held for the first time at Brunswick Landing, the event included a military presentation that paid tribute to the 85 Maine people who died while in service after Sept. 11, 2001, along with children’s activities and prizes for top finishers, according to a news release from the foundation.

“This was an incredible event,” said U.S. Army SSG (Ret.) Travis Mills, founder of the organization. “It was especially meaningful for it to be located at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. I had the pleasure of meeting folks who served at the base who came back to run the race — that’s something special.”

“It means the world to me that the Brunswick community and beyond were so supportive of this event and the mission of the foundation,” he continued. “I hope Brunswick will be home to the race for many years to come.”

The foundation’s top fundraiser was Michael Burke of Old Orchard Beach, who raised $6,280 for recalibrated veterans.

The foundation’s presenting sponsor, New Balance Foundation, helped make the event possible. Other sponsors included Darlings, General Dynamics — Bath Iron Works, Bangor Savings Bank, Central Maine Power, Cross Insurance, EJP, Veterans United Home Loans, Flight Deck, T-Mobile, Consolidated Communications, Pat’s Pizza of Auburn, O’Connor Auto Park, O & P Glass, RE/MAX Riverside, North East Mobile Health Services, Augusta Fuel Company, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Poulin Tree, Wild Oats, Horch Roofing, Fiona Quinn, Author, VIP Tires & Services, Mid Coast-Parkview Health, Lajoie Brothers Inc and Pepsi.

For more information, contact Molly Lovell-Keely, communications and marketing manager at the foundation at [email protected] or 207-480-3490.