Whether you walk, run or ride a bike, you're invited to the PA Hero Walk, hosted by Post 1306 of the Catholic War Veterans. The event will be held on Saturday, May 20. It will step off from Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., and end in Fisherman's Park, 111 Collins Road, Falmouth.

"We have people who run. We have people who bring their kids in strollers. We have people who bring their dogs," explained Mike Mastriania, post commander. Same-day registration will begin at 7 a.m., with bike riders departing at 8 a.m., runners taking off at 8:10 a.m. and walkers departing at 8:20 a.m. The route will cover 14 miles along the Susquehanna River. Advance registration is encouraged and is available at http://www.pretzelcitysports.com.

"We will have shuttle buses, so people can park at water stations along the route and take the shuttle to the Crossings starting at 7 a.m.," Mastriania noted. "They can also take the shuttle back to their car after the event."

Prizes will be awarded for the top finishers, and all participants are invited to return to the Catholic War Veterans post, 250 N. Seventh St., Columbia, for a chicken barbecue dinner beginning at 3 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will benefit PA Hero Walk, a group of veterans that walks from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh every year in June to raise awareness for veterans' needs, said Donna Ernst, post manager. This will be the first time Post 1306 has held its event since 2019.

The mission of the Catholic War Veterans is to provide services for God, for country and for home, Ernst commented. "We support all veterans," she shared. "We have 650 members from across Lancaster County."

Post 1306 moved to its current Columbia location in 2013. It held its first Hero Walk in 2014. In addition to being a private club, the group organizes multiple events and efforts throughout the year, including visiting veterans in VA hospitals, participating in parades, hosting an Easter party and a Christmas party for families, distributing food to veterans throughout Lancaster County and holding flag retirement ceremonies on Flag Day, June 14.

Both Ernst and Mastriania said the club helps them fulfill their desire to serve veterans. "My father was a veteran. He served in the Army," Ernst shared. "My dad was my heart."

Mastriania served in the Marine Corps from 1980 to 1983 and has been a member of the Catholic War Veterans since 2016. He said he not only likes helping other veterans through the organization, but also enjoys the club atmosphere and the bonds that have formed between members. "We are always looking for more members," he said. "We get a lot of positive feedback from our members. They say it feels like they are with family when they are here."

Orders for the chicken barbecue must be received by Monday, May 8. A limited number of extra meals will be available on the day of the event. The chicken barbecue is open to the public in addition to people who are participating in the PA Hero Walk. To purchase tickets, call Ernst at 717-951-9117 or Mastriania at 717-715-3354.