R. “Scat” Scatterday has a special place in his heart for Memorial Day.

And the race director of The Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run and Walk is quickly finding out that others share his feelings.

When Scatterday led the charge to add an Olympic-style torch run to this year’s race activities, he knew it had the potential to be big.

But judging from the response he’s received thus far, the inaugural run—slated for Friday, May 25 — could be the start of something really big.

“Every time the invitation is made to the public my phone starts ringing with responses,” said Scatterday, in his first year as race director.

“I have had several phone calls that were highly emotional from family members who have stated that while they appreciate the annual observances of military service, this is the first time they have ever been given the opportunity to participate in something that is unique and personal to them.”

Scatterday said several of the callers became emotional during the conversations. And that struck a special chord with Scatterday, a major in the U.S. Air Force Reserves with 37 years and more than 4,000 hours in the cockpit as a fighter pilot. Scatterday flew 136 combat missions in Vietnam as an F-4 pilot.

“This has caused me to tear up, too, and recall the loss of 12 wingmen during my own personal military career,” he said. “I go back to that stuff and I recall those events where I lost wingmen who were roommates, classmates, squadron mates.

“I can actually hear with my heart the special words and feelings of the person who is thanking me and the Ogden 20K Classic sponsors for this opportunity to publicly stand up in memory and honor their particular person.”

The torch run will begin, rain or shine, at 4:30 p.m. May 25 in the parking lot of the Osiris Shrine in Elm Grove. It will proceed west along National Road through Elm Grove and toward Wheeling Park.

Wheeling Police Chief Kevin Gessler will be the first to carry the torch. He’ll run for a half-mile and then hand the torch off to four sophomore essay winners from Wheeling Park High School.

But Gessler might not be alone when he carries the flame. Scatterday said he received a call from retired Wheeling police officer Frank Kuca Jr., a Vietnam veteran, who said he would not only like to run alongside Gessler but also leg the entire 6-mile trek to the start/finish line near WesBanco Arena.

After the Park students carry the torch for a quarter-mile each, they will hand it over to Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron, who will carry the torch another half-mile.

At that point, the torch will be passed to six junior essay winners from Wheeling Park. They will carry the torch for another quarter-mile each before giving it to Wheeling Mayor Nick Sparachane.

Sparachane will carry the flame a half-mile before turning things over to three more Park junior essay winners, who will carry the torch to the bottom of Wheeling Hill on the Fulton side.

At that point, the torch will be given to Lt. Col. Paul Hicks, who served in the second Gulf War. Any other veteran who served from 1991 to the present can join the procession at this time.

Hicks will hand the torch off to Lt. Col. Pat Plunkett, who served during the Vietnam era. He, along with anyone who served in any branch of the armed services from 1960-90, will carry the flame to the historical marker on Stone Boulevard.

At this point, the torch will be given to Tech Sgt. Jim Koonce, a Korean War veteran. He will be joined by anyone who served their country from 1950-59.

The torch and the large throng of veterans will move to Lincoln School, where the flame will be passed to Gunnery Sgt. Dale Sigler, a veteran of World War II. At this point, other vets who served from 1949 and before will join the procession.

Sigler will carry the torch until the throng reaches the Federal Building on Chapline Street. At this point, the torch will be passed to West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, who will lead the contingent to the start/finish line.

The goal is to have each group of veterans join the procession at different points during the run so that the torch run concludes with hundreds of veterans surging to the finish line.

All who would like to join the run when Hicks receives the flame need to arrive at Hicks’ position in the relay at 5 p.m. May 25. For the other vets, arrival time is 5:15 p.m.

Scatterday said he’s fielded a vast array of questions from local veterans and members of their families who would like to participate.

“The nature of some of the questions concerns whether fees or paperwork are involved,” he said. “And the answer is no.”

Other callers have said they have an older family member who wants to participate, but doesn’t feel they can physically do it.

“Do they have to run?” Scatterday said. “The answer is no.

“John Hargleroad of Oglebay Park is going to be bringing Oglebay’s ‘Little Red Trolley’ as a sweep vehicle and alternate transportation for any participants who either believe they can’t cover the distance without assistance or attempts to cover the distance and discovers they need to ride the rest of the way to the finish line.”

Family members have also been asking if they can run in honor of members of their families.

“The answer is yes,” Scatterday stated.

He added participants can also wear hats and bring flags and banners. Anything that honors military vets is acceptable.

For more information, call Scatterday at (304) 233-1312.