2nd Annual USMC Sgt. Mecot Camara Memorial Ruck scheduled in Summers County

PIPESTEM W.Va. (Hinton News) – Recently, Elisa Camara spoke about the upcoming 2nd Annual USMC Sgt Mecot Camara Memorial Ruck planned for the weekend of Sept. 23. 

“The Ruck is a way to bring his Beirut Marine brothers and Gold Star families together as well as honor his memory,” Camara said of the top reason to have the event.  

Camara feels like being back in the hometown her brother Mecot dearly loved helps her feel closer to him. “He is always with me in my heart. I just wish he was here with us too,” she went on to say. 

Everyone is invited to show up and participate to let these Beirut Marine and Gold Star families know they are loved and not forgotten. Camara added that they need 273 folks to participate in the ruck.

This year’s memorial ruck is in honor of the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Beirut. Each participant will wear a memorial ruck shirt with the name of one of the fallen from that day. Camara said, “It’s our way of saying their names while honoring them and their families who paid the ultimate sacrifice” 

According to Camara, participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and plan on a beautiful walk along the river that Mecot loved. It’s not a timed race and there will be volunteer paramedics and firefighters at every mile increment. 

There will be a fabulous cookout, DJ, and karaoke at the end. The event is open to the general public and all ages are welcome. Organizers encourage this to be a family event. It’s a great way to learn firsthand the history of the Country’s time in Beirut. Camara said, “Our hometown was blessed with one in particular, my big brother Mecot.”

Here’s a list of events for the weekend:

Sept. 22 – 5 p.m. A free ride starting at the Beirut Memorial and ending at SC High School.
$15 Spaghetti Dinner at Pipestem Ruritan with band Rock House Road to follow.

Sept. 23 – 8 a.m. Ruck registration. Ruck begins at 9 a.m. 10 miles beginning at Bluestone Turnpike Trail, ending at Pipestem Park. There will be a cookout, DJ and karaoke. 

Sept. 24 – A private screening for Beirut veterans and Gold Star families of “We Came in Peace” at the Ritz Theater. 

For more information, go to Americanbrotherfoundation.org.