Run for the Fallen: remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Company Grade Officer's Council hosted the second annual Run for the Fallen 5K and half-marathon here Sept. 6.

More than 275 military service members and their families, assigned to installations across the East Coast, participated in the run, which was held to honor those who've been injured or fatally wounded in support of contingency operations.

"Our fallen service members and their families have sacrificed more than we can know," said Capt. Heather Vander Wyst, 4th Communication Squadron operations flight commander and event organizer. "It's nice to see the community come together and honor what they've done for our nation."

While the run acted as an opportunity for participants to test their own physical resilience, its main purpose was to raise money and awareness for foundations that help wounded warriors and veterans. This year's event raised more than $3,000 for such organizations.

The CGOC identified the Wounded Warrior Project as the main recipient of the event proceeds. They felt that the WWP's objectives to raise awareness in the public and help foster aid for those in need coincided with the purpose of the event.

"This year we wanted to give back and support a special group of military men and women; our wounded warriors," Vander Wyst said. "I'm glad we could find an organization that supports them in such a profound way."

Carol Sharpe, Wounded Warrior Project alumni manager, also expressed her organization's gratefulness to the surrounding community and the installation for the support.

"We're just very appreciative of Seymour Johnson and the Goldsboro community for coming out and hosting this event in support of our wounded warriors," Sharpe said. "It's events like this that show our wounded warriors and their families they aren't alone."

Military units participated in the run in support of those fallen comrades within their specific career fields. One such group was the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron, who honored those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice by wearing t-shirts with names of the fallen on the back. The runners said they wore the shirts to honor the spirit of vehicle operations and convoy movements.

"Every person identified on our shirts is part of our team," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Robinson, 4th LRS vehicle operations supervisor. "Having the opportunity to run together as a team and honor our fallen brothers and sisters is gratifying. It's like they're here with us."

According to Vander Wyst, nearly 250 Airmen volunteered to help make the run a success.

"It's humbling to have the opportunity to coordinate such an important event like the run for the fallen," Vander Wyst said. "Hopefully we can hold more runs that benefit our brave service members who were injured in the line of duty."

At the conclusion of the event, medals were awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each run.

Congratulations to the following top finishers:
      
      5K:
      Male:
          Andrew Shefter - 1st
          Clint Lecher - 2nd
          Rich Alfred - 3rd
      Female:      
          Amy Lecher - 1st
          Bridget Cox - 2nd
          Leslie Wight - 3rd

      Half-marathon:
      Male: 
         Chad Mitchell - 1st
         Wade Clark - 2nd
         Nick Phillips - 3rd
      Female:
         Erin Gray - 1st
         Rhea Rollman - 2nd
         Malia Ortiz - 3rd

[Editor's Note: The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Company Grade Officer's Council is a private organization. It's not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.]