Team Seymour Airmen join community in celebration of EOD technicians

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shawna Keyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Members of Team Seymour participated in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Memorial 5K, May 10 in downtown Goldsboro, North Carolina.

More than 200 runners, showed their support for the annual event, including EOD technicians from various services and bases around the country.

"This was a great event and an amazing opportunity to help support EOD technicians and their families," said Senior Airman Graham Speight, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal journeyman. "One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to those affected."

Over the last ten years, 129 EOD technicians died in support of overseas contingency operations. In response to this, the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight organized the 5k run to raise money for the EOD Warrior Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to wounded and fallen EOD warriors and their families.

"I was really proud to participate in this run honoring our fallen brothers and sisters in EOD," said Army Capt. Tammi Croteau, a Washington Army National Guard EOD operations officer assigned to the 741st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion. "I try to attend memorial runs in honor of all the techs that we've lost as often as possible. It doesn't matter how far away; I'd go to the ends of the earth for them."

According to Speight the success of the event was due to the overwhelming support by organizations in the local community.

"The different organizations and people in the community were the driving force behind this event." Speight said. "It's truly extraordinary to see the amount of people that support our Airmen who are overseas putting their lives on the line."

During the run, some of the EOD technicians also donned 70 pound bomb suits, which are used by the technicians in their operations overseas.

"We run in bomb suits mainly as a memorial to all our fallen and wounded EOD brothers and sisters, and a personal challenge and competition within the EOD family," said Speight.

For more information on the EOD Warrior Foundation visit www.eodwarriorfoundation.org.

*Editor's Note : The EOD Warrior Foundation is a private organization and has no governmental status.