Page 3 - Dresden Buzz 08/22/2025

AUGUST 22 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 LOCAL NEWS | PAGE 3
Community remembers Sgt. Brad Harper with 20th anniversary

block party following annual Harper Classic races by Lynette Dotson

Participants in the 5K run during the annual Harper Classic cross the start line. One fireman (left) walked the course in full gear. Lynette Dotson

Runners, walkers, and community I’m always going to keep Brad’s name
members gathered at the Dresden alive. That’s just the way it is. So this
American Legion on August 9 for a day event is very personal for me.”
of remembrance and respect. Sgt. Harper’s family were in atten-
“The Harper Classic is in honor of local dance as well as friends and some of
Marine Sergeant Brad Harper, also a Vir- the people who served with him.
ginia Beach police officer. [He] graduat- “A lot of the guys Brad served with
ed Tri-Valley in 1998, joined the Marine or were officers come up from Virginia
Corps shortly after,” explained event co- Beach are up here with us to honor his
ordinator and friend of Sgt Harper, Nick sacrifice.”
Beach. “He was part of Lima Company, “Starting this, I didn’t think it’d last
3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. [He was] 20 years, but it has and we’re proud of
killed in Iraq in August of 2005.” that, said Steve Harper, Sgt. Harper’s fa-
“Anybody that was on Main Street the ther. “It brings a lot of attention, I think,
night that he came home knows what to Dresden and as it should. And Brad
this event is about,” said Beach. is getting a lot of recognition. I’m very
“This is a 20-year anniversary. Typi- proud of that. I think he’s a symbol of
Inside Timber & Grace during their ribbon cutting . Lynette Dotson cally, this event is held in the spring, but this community and this school district,
we tried to align it as much as we could this county, this state, and all the men
with the anniversary of those Marines and women that gave up their lives. Not
sacrificing their lives, August of 2005,” only, you know, didn’t make it back, but
stated Beach. Brad’s got six of his buddies here from The Dresden Community Association extends a
The Harper Classic run has been an the Marines, from various states, and heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the
annual tradition in Dresden, but this from the veterans that made it back. It’s
th
year the event was expanded upon to kind of a dedication for them, too. So, America’s Basket Festival on July 12 a huge success
include a day full of activities. you know, it means a lot.”
“This year, we want to do some spe- “Sometimes we think, well, I feel a —our amazing volunteers, generous sponsors, talented
cial things. We’ve got a block party af- little guilty because of others that gave. vendors, musicians, artists, and everyone who came
ter the race. Live entertainment, food But then again, I turn around and think,
trucks all day, and we’re here to have a well, Brad represents them,” Harper ex- out to enjoy this event.
good time.” plained. “So he represents all the men
Beach owns and operates Muskingum and women that, you know, sacrificed We are especially grateful to the
Multisports and times many of the area their lives for our freedoms. That means
race events. a lot. So if it’s for that, then I’m for it.”
“This event, to me, is personal,” Beach An article about the 5K and 8K races
explained. “We do about 50 events can be found in the sports section on
a year. Typically, we’re hired to time page 10. For further information about
events. We manage a handful, but this the Harper Classic visit for the award of the ArtSTART Grant and their support
event is the one that I’m the most proud muskingummultisports.com. of our community festival. Together, we are weaving
of, mostly because I was a Marine. Brad
was a Marine. Brad was a very close memories and celebrating our basketmaking heritage.
friend of mine. We’re very close with
their whole family. So to make this HAVE A POSITIVE NEWS TIP?
event happen every year is something I CALL OR TEXT 740-270-2408.
personally just have to do. Semper Fi is
The DIY candle bar inside Timber and Grace. Lynette Dotson the Marine Corps motto, always faithful.