FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. -- There's not a day that goes by that she doesn't think of him.
"All the time," said Julie Mixon Bargeron holding back tears.
And no, it doesn't get any easier. On December 8, 2010, her son Spc. Kelly Mixon was killed in action. He was only 23 at the time.
Now, almost two years later, Bargeron is running the foundation "Mothers of America's Military Fallen - Spc. Kelly J. Mixon Foundation." And on October 27, they'll be hosting the first annual "Hero's Run" and "Boots on the Ground" memorial.
The idea for the memorial came from a similar tribute held earlier this year in Hawaii. The plan is to line up thousands of combat boots on Atlantic Avenue in Fernandina Beach from the corner of downtown straight out to the ocean. Each boot will have a picture of a fallen hero and an American flag.
"It's going to hopefully not only help the troops, but also help the families," said Bargeron.
Boots on the Ground will take place in Fernandina Beach from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on October 27 and is free and open to the general public.
The goal is, after the event, to transform the memorial into a traveling display for military installations nationwide.
In addition to the memorial, there will also be a "Hero's Run" at Fort Clinch State Park. It costs $25 to register. The money will go to the Mother's of America's Military Fallen Foundation to help send care packages to troops overseas and pay for the cost of the traveling memorial.
They are in need of donations, including military donations of combat boots.
For more information about both events and how to help go to www.mothersofamf.com.
