Birdman receives hero’s welcome at Italy checkpoint before continuing to Dallas

Image: Citizens of Italy, Margie Castro, Joyce Hobbs, Jessie Castro, and son, Emanuela Castro, are beaming with pride in anticipation of the Sons of the Flag Burn Foundation Executive Director, Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, who embarked on a 100-mile continuous run through central and north Texas on Memorial Day weekend with a goal of raising $100,000, the equivalent of $1,000 per mile, for burn survivors. Parrott, a former US Navy SEAL, will begin his trek at the national cemetery in Waco, Texas, at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, and finish Monday morning at Parkland Memorial Hospital’s Burn Unit in Dallas. A portion of Parrott’s non-stop trek will took him through West, Texas, on Sunday morning as a tribute to the victims of the April tragedy.

Citizens of Italy, Margie Castro, Joyce Hobbs, Jessie Castro, and son, Emanuela Castro, are beaming with pride in anticipation of the Sons of the Flag Burn Foundation Executive Director, Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, who embarked on a 100-mile continuous run through central and north Texas on Memorial Day weekend with a goal of raising $100,000, the equivalent of $1,000 per mile, for burn survivors. Parrott, a former US Navy SEAL, will begin his trek at the national cemetery in Waco, Texas, at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, and finish Monday morning at Parkland Memorial Hospital’s Burn Unit in Dallas. A portion of Parrott’s non-stop trek will took him through West, Texas, on Sunday morning as a tribute to the victims of the April tragedy. (Barry Byers)

Image: City of Italy Mayor James Hobbs with his wife, Joyce Hobbs, and City of Italy employee, Rhonda Cockerham.

City of Italy Mayor James Hobbs with his wife, Joyce Hobbs, and City of Italy employee, Rhonda Cockerham. (Barry Byers)

Image: Morgan Chambers, waves an American flag in anticipation of Birdman’s arrival.

Morgan Chambers, waves an American flag in anticipation of Birdman’s arrival. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jeanne Long and her husband James Long, from McKinney, are positioned in front of the Italy Shamrock in anticipation of Birdman’s arrival. Mrs. Long had already ran a couple of sections alongside Birdman and is planning on rejoining him out of Italy.

Jeanne Long and her husband James Long, from McKinney, are positioned in front of the Italy Shamrock in anticipation of Birdman’s arrival. Mrs. Long had already ran a couple of sections alongside Birdman and is planning on rejoining him out of Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: City of Italy mayor, James Hobbs, is joined by Italy Police Department officers in front of an 18 foot long flag draped alongside Highway 77 to give Birdman a hero’s welcome into Italy.

City of Italy mayor, James Hobbs, is joined by Italy Police Department officers in front of an 18 foot long flag draped alongside Highway 77 to give Birdman a hero’s welcome into Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: A poster promotes the efforts of Sons of the Flag Burn Foundation Executive Director Ryan “Birdman” Parrott who challenged himself on a 100k for 100-mile fundraising run to help burn victims.

A poster promotes the efforts of Sons of the Flag Burn Foundation Executive Director Ryan “Birdman” Parrott who challenged himself on a 100k for 100-mile fundraising run to help burn victims. (Barry Byers)

Image: Morgan Chambers, Italy Firefighters, Randy Boyd and Brad Chambers, City of Italy employee Rhonda Cockerham and Madie Chambers help form a patriotic spirit line that will lead the Birdman to his checkpoint setup in front of Hobbs Feed & Supply in Italy.

Morgan Chambers, Italy Firefighters, Randy Boyd and Brad Chambers, City of Italy employee Rhonda Cockerham and Madie Chambers help form a patriotic spirit line that will lead the Birdman to his checkpoint setup in front of Hobbs Feed & Supply in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jessie Castro and his son, Emanuel Castro, are ready for Birdman’s arrival with the heroic jogger about a half mile away from arriving at the Italy checkpoint.

Jessie Castro and his son, Emanuel Castro, are ready for Birdman’s arrival with the heroic jogger about a half mile away from arriving at the Italy checkpoint. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers, Zain Byers and Paul Cockerham help welcome Birdman to Italy.

John Byers, Zain Byers and Paul Cockerham help welcome Birdman to Italy.

Image: Joyce Hobbs of Hobbs Feed & Supply in Italy joins the spirit line with her flag held high as the Birdman approaches Italy.

Joyce Hobbs of Hobbs Feed & Supply in Italy joins the spirit line with her flag held high as the Birdman approaches Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Citizens of Italy await Birdman’s arrival alongside Highway 77.

Citizens of Italy await Birdman’s arrival alongside Highway 77. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here he comes! Jessis Castro, and his wife Margie Castro, spot the Birdman emerging from the darkness escorted by emergency vehicles from the Department of Public Safety and the Dallas Fire Department.

Here he comes! Jessis Castro, and his wife Margie Castro, spot the Birdman emerging from the darkness escorted by emergency vehicles from the Department of Public Safety and the Dallas Fire Department. (Barry Byers)

Image: Greeters gathered in front of the Italy Shamrock begin cheer to help the Birdman reach the checkpoint.

Greeters gathered in front of the Italy Shamrock begin cheer to help the Birdman reach the checkpoint. (Barry Byers)

Image: DPS Trooper Otis White, City of Italy mayor James Hobbs and Rob Kyker, commissioner for the Texas Commission On Law Enforcement, are just moments away from the Birdman’s arrival at the Italy checkpoint setup outside Hobbs Feed & Supply. The Italy checkpoint marked the 57 mile mark of Birdman’s route between Waco and Dallas.

DPS Trooper Otis White, City of Italy mayor James Hobbs and Rob Kyker, commissioner for the Texas Commission On Law Enforcement, are just moments away from the Birdman’s arrival at the Italy checkpoint setup outside Hobbs Feed & Supply. The Italy checkpoint marked the 57 mile mark of Birdman’s route between Waco and Dallas. (Barry Byers)

Image: After arriving in Italy around 12:30 a.m. and after Birdman received a medical checkup and food, City of Italy mayor James Hobbs presents Birdman with an American flag and thanks him for his service to our country.

After arriving in Italy around 12:30 a.m. and after Birdman received a medical checkup and food, City of Italy mayor James Hobbs presents Birdman with an American flag and thanks him for his service to our country. (Barry Byers)

Image: City of Italy mayor James Hobbs bids farewell and wishes Birdman good luck on his remaining 43 mile journey.

City of Italy mayor James Hobbs bids farewell and wishes Birdman good luck on his remaining 43 mile journey. (Barry Byers)

Image: Runner Blaine Bolton of Dallas joined Birdman for the last eight miles entering Italy to help encourage Birdman to go the distance.

Runner Blaine Bolton of Dallas joined Birdman for the last eight miles entering Italy to help encourage Birdman to go the distance. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Birdman and his fellow joggers prepare to exit Italy down Highway 77 toward Waxahachie.

The Birdman and his fellow joggers prepare to exit Italy down Highway 77 toward Waxahachie. (Barry Byers)

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