TEQUESTA, FLORIDA – Once again BelieveWithMe.com’s Freedom 4-Miler did not disappoint as it gathered local runners to honor America’s fallen on the 249th birthday of the United States.

The Freedom 4-Miler has been a mainstay of Tequesta’s 4th of July celebrations for the last decade. Hosted by BelieveWithMe.com, all proceeds from the race go to buy Christmas gifts for the children of Gold Star families. This year the main event featured 933 competitors running in memory of four fallen service men. This year those men were:

Commander Charles Harris, who served for 19 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, culminating in his command of the USS Howard (DDG‑83) in 2021. He passed away from a rare, aggressive cancer attributed to his naval service.

Tech SGT George Yates, who was a dedicated Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist. Yates served with distinction in the U.S. Air Force and tragically lost his life in the line of duty on May 3, 2017, while performing a combat-related EOD mission.

SN Seamus Gray, who served as a sailor stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes. Gray was reported missing on March 18, 2023, after a night out in Waukegan, Illinois. His body was recovered from Lake Michigan on April 19, and an autopsy confirmed he died by drowning.

1st Lieutenant Dimitri Del Castillo, who was a West Point graduate, class of 2009, and a U.S. Army Ranger leading a platoon in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was killed on June 25, 2011 by wounds sustained from enemy small-arms fire while calling in support for his unit.

During the opening ceremonies, the bios of each of these heroes were shared, and runners were reminded of the great price each of these men paid. Throughout the race, placards with more information about each one were set up and runners were strongly encouraged to read the service men’s names out loud as they passed by as a way to honor them and their families. Bow Down Church Pastor Chris Tress prayed over the race and the Gold Star families of the fallen. The final words of his prayer were a powerful admonishment from scripture: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 BSB).

In addition to the main four heroes – each of whom had a full mile in the race dedicated to their memory – every runner also raced in honor of another specific fallen service man. This reporter, ran in honor of Christopher McCullough, a medic in the U.S. Army Reserve’s 396th Medical Ground Ambulance Unit and Iraq War veteran (2007–2008). SPC McCullough passed away at his home in Stoneville, North Carolina, on October 20, 2010, at the age of 26.

As always the race itself was both intense and fun as over 900 people took to the neighborhood streets near Constitution Park in Tequesta. Some were in it to win. Others were just there for a great morning with friends and the chance to honor America’s heroes. This reporter’s personal goal is always to stay under a 40-minute race time. Somehow, I always manage it, and this year I finished at 38:38. The ultimate winner of the race was Jonathan Allen, 28 of Columbus, who finished in 20:38. He was followed by Alexandra Del Re, 23 of Tequesta, in second place at 22:54. Then third place was taken by Carlos Hinojosa, 43 of Jupiter, with a time of 22:59. Awards were also available for each age group and gender category.

However, whether you were in first place or the very last walker in spot 933, the goal is always the same – to honor and celebrate these American heroes. Their Gold Star families need our thoughts and prayers every day, and every American should be forever grateful for their service and sacrifice. This year, BelieveWithMe.com is working to raise funds to purchase Christmas gifts for 2,500 Gold Star children. If you are interested in donating to this very worthy cause, please click here: BelieveWithMe.com Donation.

Well done to all competitors, and, as always, to all our service men and women, “We thank you for your service.” And a very heartfelt thanks goes to all of America’s Gold Star families. Your painful sacrifices have brought life, hope, and freedom to our great nation, and we will be forever grateful to you. May the Lord bless each and every one of your families!

Gallery • 18 Photos

References

• Del Castillo, Dimitri A. “1LT Dimitri A. Del Castillo.” West-Point.org, https://www.west-point.org/users/usma2009/65298/. Accessed 4 July 2025.

• “Freedom 4 Mile Run.” RunSignup, https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Tequesta/Freedom4MileRun. Accessed 4 July 2025.

• Gray, Seamus. “Body Found in Waukegan Identified as Missing Navy Sailor Seamus Gray: Coroner’s Office.” FOX 32 Chicago, 19 Apr. 2023, https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/body-found-in-waukegan-identified-as-missing-navy-sailor-seamus-gray-coroners-office. Accessed 4 July 2025.

• Harris, Charles A. “CDR Charles Harris.” Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Leaders/Biography/Article/2603326/cdr-charles-harris/. Accessed 4 July 2025.

• Holy Bible. Berean Standard Bible, Bible Hub, 2022, https://www.bereanbible.com. Accessed 4 July 2025.

• McCullough, Christopher Wyatt. “Chris W. McCullough.” The Living Memorial: Global War on Terror Fallen Heroes Project, https://www.fallenheroesproject.org/post/chris-w-mccullough. Accessed 4 July 2025.

• Yates, George Eastwood. “Remembering George Eastwood Yates, TSGT USAF EOD.” Ride for 22, Facebook, 3 May 2021, https://www.facebook.com/Ridefor22/posts/remembering-george-eastwood-yates-tsgt-usaf-eod12161984-05032017a-man-who-love-h/1314367581997353/. Accessed 4 July 2025.