Soldiers, family members walk in Relay for Life

By Trish Muntean, Fort Wainwright PAOJune 10, 2010

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FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Soldiers and family members from Fort Wainwright made a difference in the fight against cancer by participating in the Relay for Life, held at West Valley High School last weekend.

Many units from Fort Wainwright were represented, but 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division had the largest group with about 150 people participating, a mixture of Soldiers and family members.

"We are doing this for two reasons" said Lt Col. David Raugh, commander of the 5-1st. "We are supporting the local community, because of the support that we as military members get from Interior Alaska. Also it is an opportunity for families, who are separated from their extended families down in the Lower 48 who are suffering from cancer and that gives them the chance to walk in memory of them, or in support of."

This is the second year that 2nd Lt. Scott Schneider, 5-1st, participated in the Relay for Life. He was walking to honor his father, who recently recovered from prostate cancer. "We are in a training cycle, and it's always going to be a bit hectic, but we can always take time to support the community and support a good cause," Schneider said.

"There has been an outpouring of support," said Cynthia Raugh, wife of Raugh and the Family Readiness Group advisor. "We have got some sad weather, but just the enthusiasm, it's amazing."

At midnight on Friday night, the rain was coming down and the mosquitoes were out in full force but still there were Soldiers and family members on the track. 2nd Lt. Brandon Carius, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, was one of them. He was approaching his 18th mile carrying a 50-pound ruck.

"I love doing anything endurance-related," he said. "I do marathons, triathlons, ultra marathons, stuff like that. I have had a couple of family members who have succumbed to cancer-related illnesses. This is a great event, glad to be out here."

His wife Erin, who is almost six months pregnant, was keeping her husband company. She had done about 5 miles, a short distance for her since she is also a marathon runner. She has lost two grandparents in the last couple of years to cancer and this is the second time that she has done the Relay for Life. The Carius Crew, as they called themselves, raised about six hundred dollars since they signed up a few days before the event. They have been in Fairbanks for just a couple of weeks.

Spc. Ryan Furlong, 176th Signal Company, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, was walking for the second year. He participates because of family members who have battled cancer. His aunt beat her cancer; his uncle sadly succumbed to his illness.

For Spc. Jared Nunley, 5-1st, it was a way to honor his grandmother, who died of cancer about eight months ago. "It has been good, looking forward to the next one"

Kanini and Sgt. Joel Adams, 5-1st, have friends and family members who have died from cancer and they were walking in their memory. They weren't able to do the time or the distance they had hoped as Sgt. Adams is recovering from knee surgery he had two weeks ago and is still on crutches, but they wanted to come out and show their support.

The Adams were excited to find a candle lit in memory of their friend Carol Henry, who lost her battle with cancer several weeks ago.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Crawford, 5-1st, has lost two grandparents to cancer. "All of us have had family members, friends, neighbors, somebody who has been impacted by cancer at some point. This is a great opportunity to come together as a team and show the community that we support them,," he said.

The Fairbanks community and event organizers were thrilled to have the military participation. "They were lined up behind our stage for opening ceremonies, they were there for the national anthem, they were there for the Alaska flag song. It was very touching and it was wonderful to see," said Patti Benjamin. "We were so happy to have them here."

"It was just awesome. So wonderful," Don Benjamin said. "Because the military is in our town, it inspires others. We just feel real close to the military, we hope they feel the same about Fairbanks."

"They definitely appreciated that we were out here, so that was really neat," said Cynthia Raugh.

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