“It’s not about me. It’s about Tyler, his memory, and doing hard things for our kids — they pay attention,” said Jacqueline Francisco after finishing a 32-plus-mile memorial run on May 25. 

Francisco, principal of Freetown Lakeville Middle School, completed the run from the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne to the Tyler J. Trahan Memorial Rotary in East Freetown in honor of Tyler J. Trahan, a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class. 

Trahan was killed while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in April 2009 — just two days before his 23rd birthday.

As Francisco reached the finish line, she was greeted by Trahan’s family, community members and more than a dozen of her students — all waving American flags and cheering.

While the crowd applauded, Francisco embraced Tyler’s mother, Maureen Trahan, and the two women walked to the center of the circle for photographs and remembrance.

“Down that street is the Freetown Lakeville Middle school he attended, down that street is the elementary school, and down that street is the Old Colony High School he attended,” said Maureen pointing away from the memorial. “Those three schools represent what Tyler’s life was about, so this circle represents what Tyler’s life was about.”

A large portion of the crowd were students from Freetown-Lakeville Middle School, with relatives, like Tyler’s nephews Tobey and Tydus Lecuyer, also in attendance.

“We just want it to be something our students can look to as inspiration,” said Francisco. “I feel like if I model constantly challenging myself with my students they’ll see that and they’ll be more likely to try hard things.”

A regular runner and triathlon and ironman competitor, Francisco was first introduced to Tyler through the memorial roundabout near her home in Freetown.

“I run a lot, and every time I would run by it I would think what a great young man he must have been and what a huge sacrifice this family has paid,” she said.

Earlier this year, she reached out to Maureen to share her desire to do something in Tyler’s memory.

“I said I’d like to run him home — from where he’s buried at the Bourne National Cemetery to Freetown and the dedicated rotary,” she stated.

That desire became a reality this weekend. Following a brief prayer, Francisco set off at 6 a.m. from Tyler’s grave. Her husband, John Nelson, followed in his truck, while friends joined intermittently on bicycles and on foot as she made the roughly 32-mile journey to East Freetown. She originally thought the distance was 31 miles, but realized while running it was slightly longer. 

While Francisco ran, Maureen prepared the welcome party and passed out T-shirts and American flags.

“What all these young folks are doing right now — it's impossible to say what I feel for my gratitude and love for them,” Maureen said. “He was always thinking of others, so this is a good representation of what Tyler would be doing for the town.”

Next week, a group of students will lead a beautification effort around a bench at Freetown Lakeville Middle School dedicated to Tyler and another fallen soldier. 

Francisco said she “would love” if the memorial run became a tradition but has not yet made plans for next year. 

After the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance, several of Tyler’s friends and family members shared memories.

“Today was a good day, a lot of people came together for a good cause to remember Tyler. It’s been a long time, time flies and he was such a good guy,” said Tyler’s friend Jeffrey DeTerra. “He passed away so we could all live and enjoy this beautiful life we have in America, so we all got to be thankful.”

Jean Pierre Trahan recalled his son’s many accomplishments, including leading the Old Colony Regional Vocational High School football team as quarterback and graduating first in his class from Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

“He was number one at everything he did,” Jean said. “I think today was a wonderful idea and a good tribute to my son who died for this country.”