CHARLESTON, Ill. (WAND) — Families and friends of fallen soldiers experience grief every day. This weekend the Charleston community honored fallen soldiers during the Run for the Fallen.

Organizer Carolyn Coyd has experienced loss of her own and wants to uplift families.

"For the families of people that have lost in these conflicts, these conflicts will never end for them because they've had this loss, and that loved one is going to be missing from their lives forever," Coyd said.

This tradition has continued for 16 years and Coyd said it's different from other events because it is solely a memorial event.

Participants grab a flag, complete a mile at their own pace, plant their flag in the ground and ring the bell. In the unfortunate case that someone has lost more than one loved one,

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