Sammy Davis, Medal of Honor recipient

The Fifth Annual Tracey Yeager Memorial 5K will be held on Monday, May 25, at Winona Lake Park. A pre-race Memorial Day presentation at 9 a.m. will feature Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Davis and is free and open to the public. 

Veterans who wish to participate in the 5K may register at no cost for this family-friendly race.  Register online at www.tym5k.com or the morning of the race.

Known as the “real” Forrest Gump, Sammy L. Davis’ Medal of Honor citation is said to have been an inspiration for the Hollywood movie, which featured actual footage of President Lyndon Johnson putting the Medal of Honor around Davis’ neck.

Davis will share a message of honor, devotion, country and perseverance in the face of great odds as part of this years’ TYM5K Memorial Day presentation.

The TYM5K was established in honor of local resident Tracey Yeager, who lost her life to cancer in 2010. Yeager graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1990 and served as a Naval officer flying CH-46 helicopters. 

She earned the rank of lieutenant, and resigned in 1999 to pursue her calling as a wife and mother of three young children. Yeager lived her life as a model of faith, strength and courage, inspiring those around her.

Because of her passion for faith, family, friends, fitness and fellowship, the Memorial Day 5K has become an honor to her legacy.