"She found a way": Gold Star Daughter to Run Shamrock Marathon in Memory of Fallen Father

The Virginian-Pilot | Amy Poulter

Air National Guard Sgt. Gregory Skurupey was on a plane in 2001, hours from ringing in his 35th birthday.

He was heading back to his home base of Camp Pendleton, soon to see his wife, Kathryn Tidwell, and their two children, Sheridan and Logan. A party was set and some guests had already arrived.

All for a celebration that would never happen. 

The plane carrying Skurupey and 17 other national guardsmen crashed in a Georgia field.

A little over a week ago, Sheridan Skurupey counted 17 years since the last time she saw her father. She was five years old.

"It's hard at times. It's not so much because of the memories I have but what I've had to miss since then," she said.

"You just kind of wonder what life would have been like."

This Sunday, Sheridan will lace up her sneakers and run 26.2 miles in the Shamrock Marathon in honor of her fallen father. By running, she'll also raise funds for other Gold Star children.

With just days left, she's surpassed her goal of $3,500. Her mother, Kathryn, said it's just an example of how driven Sheridan has always been.

Both Sheridan Skurupey and her brother have been able to pay for their college educations through the through the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, which provides financial assistance and scholarships to children who have lost a parent or guardian in the line of duty. 

The money she raises for running the Irish-themed marathon will go toward another Gold Star child's education.