John A Lyons Memorial Park

Berkley Township officials will dedicate the basketball courts in South Seaside Park, NJ to Sgt. John A. Lyons, who was killed in Afghanistan when he died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire in Ghazni province, Afghanistan

Jennifer Padavano, Lyons' many friends from Seaside Park and Berkeley Township officials will gather Saturday at the place where he played so many times at 9 a.m. They will dedicate the renovated basketball courts on 24th Avenue in South Seaside Park in his honor.

"It was surreal for a time," Padavano said. "Sometimes, I think we still feel that way."

Padavano - with much help from family and friends - has organized the "Run to Remember" to honor John Lyons. The 5k run kicks off at 10 a.m., preceded by a one-mile "fun run" at 9:30 a.m. All of the proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

"We want to remember him in a positive way," Padavano said.

Registration for the 5k run is $25, and includes a T-shirt "while they last," according to the event flier. Registration for the one-mile run is $10. Registration for the rain or shine event starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the 24th Avenue basketball courts.