2:08 p.m., Feb. 28, 2008--The U.S. Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) program at UD is sponsoring the first ever Matthew Bowers Save the Children 5K walk/run at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 27, at Christiana Towers. Registration is at 8 a.m., and there will be T-shirts and post-race refreshments for all participants. The course is a loop out and back on Creek Road in Newark.

The race honors the late 2nd Lt. Matthew Scott Bowers, who served as Cadet Corps commander in 1986 and graduated from UD with a degree in civil engineering in 1987. While at UD, Bowers was active in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters and was selected for the prestigious Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Program but was struck down by lightening while training in 1987.

Since his death, his parents, Paul and Lucille, and brothers Mike and Mark, have donated a $1,000 award each spring to an AFROTC cadet who exemplifies the attitude, characteristics and academic success of Lt. Bowers.

“This year will be the 21st anniversary of their donations to our detachment, and we would like to pay our respects to Matthew and his family for all they have done by dedicating the 5K to his memory,” said Eric Burden, a junior and AFROTC cadet, who is organizing the event.

The Save the Children Foundation is an independent organization that helps children in need and their families in the United States and around the world and is recognized for its financial and organizational accountability.

The entry fee is $15 until Thursday, April 24, and is $20 the day of the event. Pledges and contributions can be made by checks, payable to DE AFROTC Detachment 28 and brought to Christiana Towers race day or mailed to Matthew Bowers Save the Children 5K, 314 Wyoming Rd. Newark, DE 19717, Attention: Cadet Eric Burdon.

For more information and to register online, visit
[http://races2run.com/2008/2008Details/04-2008details.htm#042708-afrotc].