It has been just over a year since the fateful date of August 27th, 2006. That is the day that Comair Flight 5191 crashed shortly after take off in Lexington, Kentucky. The co-pilot was the only survivor of the crash. Trigg County native, Fenton Dawson, was a passenger on Flight 5191.

I began my brief career as a writer for the Cadiz Record with a story about Fenton just days after the crash. Now, one year later, Fenton has been in my thoughts quite often. Those thoughts led to an idea and I want to share it with you.

Every year the Trigg County Cross-Country team hosts a large invitational race. The date of the race is traditionally the fourth Thursday in September. The Trigg County Rotary Club has sponsored the race for nearly thirty years now. Without a doubt, the Trigg Rotary Invitational is one of the finest invitational runs in the Commonwealth. There are several aspects that make the race special. First, we have one of the best natural sites anywhere in Lake Barkley Airport. The physical beauty is second to none. Secondly, the volunteer staff that helps with the meet is experienced and simply the best. Third, the awards at the meet are generally some of the best you will see at a high school invitational. There is one addition I have proposed for this year, however, that makes the meet more special than ever before.

For the first time, our Cross-Country Invitational will be named the Trigg County Rotary Fenton Dawson Memorial Run. Let me tell you why this is important.

Fenton Dawson was a good man, who was taken from this life way too soon. He was my teammate and lifelong friend. He is still my friend through cherished memories. Fenton was also a good example for our youth of today to follow. Fenton was Dawson strong academically as was evidenced by his being at the top of his graduating class in 1978. He was also an outstanding Cross-Country runner, finishing in the top ten at the state meet. More importantly, he was a good human being who was always ready to help others and give of himself. In all the years I knew him, never once did I see anyone that had a problem with Fenton. Every year, Fenton would meet me at the State Cross-Country meet to support our runners. More than once, I had him speak to our runners about dedication, commitment and academics. He was always willing.

For the rest of this coumn, read this week's Cadiz Record.