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East Northport family plans run for fallen Marine

BY LARRY STRIEGEL | larry.striegel@newsday.com

8:31 AM EDT, May 14, 2008

Relatives of Christopher G. Scherer include sister Katie, 18; brother Tim, 22; grandmother Margaret Burr; mother Janet, 48; sister Meghan, 18; father Tim, 48. (Photo by James Carbone)

Christopher Scherer grew up playing with friends and riding his bike in an area of numbered streets in East Northport affectionately known as "the grid.''

"He would say, 'You need to have grid pride,' '' remembers his father, Tim Scherer.

On May 24, that neighborhood -- roughly bounded by Larkfield and Elwood Roads on the east and west, and train tracks and Pulaski Road on the north and south -- will provide the winding course of the first Cpl. Christopher G. Scherer "I Did the Grid'' Memorial 4-mile Run / Walk & Fun Run.

Scherer, a 21-year-old Marine, was mortally wounded by a sniper on July 21 in Iraq. He enlisted in the Marines even before his 2004 graduation from Northport High School, but had been in Iraq for just a month.

Today his family honors him through the Cpl. Christopher G. Scherer Semper Fi Fund. Chris was a lacrosse player, so running-race proceeds in the fund will go toward three $1,000 scholarships at the high school. Two will go to senior male and female lacrosse players chosen for team spirit. The third will go to a senior student who in an essay, video or oral talk best expresses the quality of loyalty, which Tim Scherer says was one of his son's greatest qualities.

The fund also will buy items like toiletries, socks and underwear, particularly for members of Scherer's Marine combat engineer battalion. His father says his son specifically asked for light socks for himself and fellow Marines in last summer's desert heat. A shipment was on its way, but did not make it before Scherer was killed. But the effort goes on and so far, items worth $5,000 have been sent, Tim Scherer says.

The Scherer family wants the May 24 walk / run to be an event that all members of the family can try. Finishers will receive a mug that says, "I walk for Chris because he stood for me.'' It also will show a shamrock representing the Marine corporal's Irish pride.

The Memorial Day event is also a chance to honor people who serve our country in many ways, the father says.

"We're asking for an hour of your time to remember all of those who have served and given their lives for the country,'' says Tim Scherer, mentioning not only servicemen and women, but police, firefighters and others. "When you're there you should be thinking about anyone you know because we want them all to be recognized.''

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The 4-mile walk / run will begin at the Pulaski Road School at Elwood Road, East Northport, at 9:30 a.m. May 24. The fee is $25 through race day. The 1-mile fun run begins at 9 a.m.; the fee is $5 for younger than 12, $10 for 12 and older (no T-shirt). Parking is at the high school a half-block away. For more information, see cplchris.com, or call 631-754-9359.