For its fifth consecutive year, the Florida State University Army ROTC program will host the annual 2LT Justin Sisson 5K for the Fallen Run/Walk on Saturday, March 24.

With pre-race activities starting at 8 a.m., the race will begin at 9 a.m. on Landis Green.

Sisson, an FSU alumnus and Army ROTC Officer, lost his life at age 23 while defending his country. Each year, members of FSU’s Army ROTC program host the race to commemorate Sisson’s life and sacrifice while raising money for the FSU Justin Sisson Outstanding Cadet Award.

Over the past four years, the event has raised more than $100,000, and organizers have set a goal of raising $30,000 this year.

“More than a dozen scholarships have been awarded to members of the ROTC program that show the same sense of integrity and diligence that 2nd Lt. Sisson held,” said senior ROTC cadet Matt Fields, serving as this year’s race director. “Starting last year, military veterans are also able to receive the award.”

Upon graduating from FSU in 2012, Sisson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and deployed to Afghanistan in April 2013. He was killed in action by a suicide bombing while protecting the city of Chamkani and its people.

Born to Phyllis and Kevin Sisson, also an FSU alumnus, Justin Sisson was always passionate about helping and protecting others. After receiving a scholarship through the Army ROTC program, Sisson followed in his father’s footsteps and decided to attend Florida State where he joined the Florida National Guard as a freshman. After taking a pause in his education to deploy in Mosul, Iraq, Sisson returned to FSU as a sophomore in 2010 to continue pursuing his degree.

“It was Justin’s idea to give back to FSU ROTC,” said his mother, Phyllis Sisson. “My husband and I established the 2LT Justin Sisson Outstanding Cadet Award in his memory at FSU, and the 5K held each year was the brainchild of one of Justin’s friends to raise donations for the scholarship fund.”

Through his service, Sisson earned a myriad of military distinctions and honors that included two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart. He is buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas, a site shared with both his late grandfathers.

To register for the race, purchase a shirt or donate, please visit http://2ltjustinsisson.com/.