Organizers seek volunteers to help set up Joey’s Mile, the final stretch of the Shelter Island 10K footrace course. The flag-lined roadway honors the service and sacrifice of US Army 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert of Shelter Island and others who died serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Ever since Theinert was killed in action in June 2010, the Shelter Island 10K has remembered him and other fallen heroes in this meaningful way.
Strongpoint Theinert Ranch (a veterans retreat his family set up in his memory), the Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Fund, and the Shelter Island 10K invite all to participate in this community tradition.
Joey’s Mile
Volunteers will place 7,054 flags along Bateman and North Midway roads for Joey’s Mile. Meet on Friday, June 16, at 3 PM at the Town basketball courts on Bateman Road to receive a safety vest, volunteer T-shirt, flags, and instructions.
Volunteers are also needed Sunday between 9 and 11 AM to gather back the flags.
This opportunity is open to people of all ages. However, an adult guardian should accompany those under 10, as the road can be busy.
If you have a battery-operated drill, please bring it along, and the organizers will provide a bit that makes placing the flags even easier.
The 44th Annual Shelter Island 10K & 5K Run/Walk kicks off Saturday, June 17, at 5:30 PM in front of the Shelter Island School. Find details in this Gazette post.
Strongpoint Theinert Ranch
After their son’s death on June 4, 2010, Theinert’s parents, Dr. Francis “Doc” Kestler and Chrystyna Kestler, knew they wanted to continue Joe’s legacy of caring for his platoon.
They developed Strongpoint Theinert Ranch on their New Mexico property. It had long served as their family retreat, and they believed the space would be perfect for veterans and active military members, their families, and other Gold Star families.
Thanks to generous donors, the retreat was able to construct barracks to house retreat participants and to expand the team that provides therapeutic programs.
For 2023, Strongpoint Theinert Ranch hopes to raise $50,000 to provide free retreat programs for participants. As of June 14, the 2023 campaign had nearly $30,000 in pledges.
Learn more or donate on the Strongpoint Theinert Ranch website, strongpointtheinert.org.
