2,150 gather for Army Birthday Run
By Alex McVeigh
Pentagram Staff Writer
Fort Myer's Summerall Field parking lot was a sea of grey Army T-shirts and black running shorts June 19, as more than 2,150 Soldiers and civilians from around the Washington, D.C. area gathered to celebrate the Army's 234th Birthday with a three-mile run.
The run, which included a stretch through neighboring Arlington National Cemetery, is an annual tradition at Fort Myer. The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" livened things up starting at 6:30 a.m., playing a medley of patriotic and inspirational songs as units gathered in formation.
With 2009 designated by the Department of the Army as the Year of the NCO, it was only appropriate that Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, the Army's highest ranking noncommissioned officer, started off the morning by reciting the NCO Creed.
Along with three other NCOs leading the way, every NCO in attendance recited the creed in unison, placing special emphasis on the final word of the creed, "leader."
"I thought it was great that we all said the NCO Creed," said Sgt. Maj. John Edwards, the installation sergeant major for the National Guard Bureau. "It means a lot to us NCOs, it really solidifies what our creed stands for."
After the creed was said, Preston did a roll call for the various units present, with each unit trying to out-hooah the one that came before.
Director of the Army Staff Lt. Gen. David Huntoon spoke briefly about the run. He thanked Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Congressman Lincoln David (Tenn.) for their attendance. He also thanked the Fort Myer Military Community for their support in hosting the Army run, as they have for many years.
"What a magnificent morning, not a cloud in the sky, happy 234th birthday, United States Army!" Huntoon said. "Thanks to each and every one of you for what you do every day in uniform, in time of war, for this magnificent nation."
Master Sgt. Sabrina Washington, of Headquarters Command Battalion had the privilege of leading the run, carrying the American Flag.
"They called and asked me if I would be interested in carrying the flag at the front, and of course I said yes," Washington said. "I was honored to be in front for this birthday run."
The Army Band struck up the Rocky theme song as the Soldiers made their way towards Jackson Avenue, and once the Soldiers made it there, the march in formation turned to a jog. The runners soon went down Jackson Avenue calling cadences as they ran.
Once the runners crossed Chapel Gate, next to the Old Post Chapel, and headed into Arlington National Cemetery, the cadences abruptly stopped as they entered that sacred ground.
"One of the great privileges of the Army [Birthday] run is to have the opportunity to conduct part of that run on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery," Huntoon said. "We are going to remember, as we run through Arlington [National Cemetery] the sacrifice, the courage, the honor, the loyalty, the duty, the devotion, the commitment, of 234 years of the United States Army, of its men and women who have done their duty to this great nation of ours, since 1775."
As they came out of the cemetery and ran on McNair Road, turning at Gorgas Street, and finishing up where they started, there were crates of bananas, granola bars and waters to help refresh the more than 2,150 runners.
"It was a great day for a run," said Steve Rann, a Department of the Army civilian working for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)." "I've run this for about ten years, and the pace definitely seemed a little faster this year."
Behind the scenes, Soldiers like Command Sgt. Maj. Andrea Marks, Headquarters Command Battalion command sergeant major, helped get things prepared on the installation level.
"I ran it for the first time in 1992, so this was something different," Marks said. "It feels good knowing everything went as planned."
NCOs who ran were pleased that so many of them showed up, and that this year's run emphasized the Year of the NCO.
"The run today showed the strength and loyalty of the NCO Corps," said Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Thomas of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Department. "For 234 years, we've been the backbone, we've been able to keep the Army as strong as it is."
Preston felt the same way, and he felt that giving the run an NCO theme was just part of the Army's overall goal for the Year of the NCO.
"This is the year of the NCO, and today was part of our celebration," Preston said. "We're recognizing the contributions of the NCO Corps, and informing the American public what an asset they have with our NCOs."
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