Riders staged at Olde City Park in Wylie to assist with flag placement along both sides of the street where the race was to start and finish.   Prior to the race, Becky Welch, the widow of KIA 1Lt Robert F. Welch greeted the assembled runners and supporters at the opening ceremonies.  Several children carrying helium-filled balloons assembled and each released a yellow balloon in recognition of  military personnel who lost their lives in each or our nation’s conflicts beginning with WWI.  Following this, a red balloon and a blue balloon were released in honor of our firefighters and law enforcement personnel.  The Wylie Fire Dept. Honor Guard then presented colors and the singing of our National Anthem completed the ceremony.  The Honor Guard then marched away accompanied by a bag piper, and followed by Fire and Police vehicles.   The 5 K runners were staged and sent off followed shortly thereafter by the one mile runners/walkers.  Riders remained to cheer on race participants as they crossed the finish line.  Flags were returned to the flag support vehicle and riders were debriefed and dismissed. We all chose to remain for the complimentary and excellent BBQ lunch that followed.