NORFOLK - Adam Kennedy fought the brave fight for his country, and those who knew him are making sure his name isn't forgotten.

Kennedy, 25, a U.S. Army sergeant who was killed in action in Iraq on Easter Sunday in 2007, has had a scholarship created in his name, and a memorial stone installed at the junction of Union and Grove streets near where he grew up.

And on Saturday, a 5-mile walk/run on the day of what would have been his 28th birthday is being held.

"Adam's Army Run, First Annual Memorial Run" will raise money for the scholarship, which is awarded to a student each year who displays a similar "drive, character, and sense of honor to Kennedy's," along with an interest in pursuing a military career.

The Sgt. Adam P. Kennedy Memorial Scholarship "will help to extend Adam's legacy as a true American Hero who believed, above all else, in the value of honor, loyalty, and service to one's country," organizers say. Registration for the run will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the race kicking off at 11 a.m. at Freeman-Centennial School off Boardman Street, which is off Rockwood Road and Main and Seekonk streets. Parking is available at town hall downtown, with a shuttle to the race location.

There are six divisions, three for men and three for women: under 18, over 50, and everyone in between.

There also will be entertainment, refreshments, prizes and a scholarship presentation.

Entrance fee is $25 in advance, $30 day of race. Checks should be made payable to: Sgt. Adam Kennedy Scholarship Fund.

Lauren Smyth, Kennedy's cousin, is helping to organize the event.

"We are very excited to organize a wonderful and hopefully annual tribute to our fallen friend in his hometown for years to come," Smyth said. "Whether you train for it or not, we will have a great day remembering our fallen friend Adam."

Volunteers are also needed for the event, of which there are numerous sponsors and supporters.

Kennedy, the son of Nancy Smyth and David Kennedy, attended Xaverian Brothers High School, and graduated in 2004 from Norwich University in Vermont where he was in the Corps of Cadets.

Just out of college, Kennedy became the distinguished honor graduate of his basic training and AIT (advanced individual training), ranking No. 1 out of a class of 275 men and women. He left for Iraq in the fall of 2006, and came under direct attack four times before he was killed.

Kennedy was in the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division based in Alaska, serving his first tour of duty in Iraq but had committed to another six years. His family was informed he was killed April 8, 2007, by an improvised explosive device while in his Humvee in Diwaniyah, 25 miles south of Baghdad. He was the 51st member of the armed forces from Massachusetts to be killed in Iraq.

Kennedy died doing what he wanted to do, and he lived his childhood dream, family and friends say.

Additional details about Kennedy and the race, including directions and registration forms, can be found on the Web site: www.sgtadamkennedy.com.