Kirkland Half -- 5/13/12 -- Running in Honor of

Army Staff Sgt. Cynthia Taylor, who was killed in action on April 16, 2011 serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. She died at age 39 of wounds suffered from multiple grenades during at attack by an Afghan National Army soldier. She served multiple deployments, first in Iraq and was killed during her second deployment to Afghanistan.

Army Staff Sgt Cynthia Taylor KIA April 16, 2011-source

Staff Sgt.Taylor was with the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company with the 101st Airborne Division.Taylor won many awards during her service to our country, including a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart Medal and an Army Good Conduct Medal.

 In addition to all of this, Staff Sgt Taylor was a mother and a grandmother. On this mothers day, I am running to honor Staff Sgt. Taylor's bravery and service to this country. Happy Mother's Day Cynthia. I hope you know that your service is appreciated and that it mattered.