Lance Svendsen laced up for his first marathon in 2012. He has been running — and fundraising — ever since.

The term “gold star” usually means something good has happened. For Gold Star families these symbols mean something entirely different; it represents a family member killed in action or from wounds sustained in the line of duty.

A 5,000-mile cross-country Rolling Remembrance Relay that began April 27 in Seattle will arrive in Jacksonville from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday to honor Fallen Patriots Day and help the surviving children of U.S. soldiers and sailors.

During Military Appreciation Month, Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation honors the heroic sacrifices that soldiers, surviving spouses and their children have endured and overcome. 

In remembrance of military members who’ve lost their lives while serving the United States and in honor of the surviving families, PepsiCo is launching a 5000-mile relay across the country that will begin in Seattle and end in White Plains, NY on May 24 to help spread awareness for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation.