1st Infantry Division kicks off Victory Week with division run

By Stephanie Hoff

1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs

Clashes of thunder were echoed with cheers of enthusiasm from more than 5,000 Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division as the Solders stood in formation in the rain June 15 to participate in the annual Victory Run.

Rain and lightning didn't deter the Soldiers from participating in the event that kicked off Victory Week, a weeklong celebration the Big Red One's lineage and history. More than 5,000 Soldiers of the Big Red One donned their Army Physical Fitness uniforms amidst the coming down rain.

"The Victory Run starts the whole week off," said Chris Capone, G3 Operation Officer. "It's a four-mile run that the whole division participates in. It just basically gets everybody fired up for the week's events."

The run was lead by Brig. Gen. David Petersen, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley deputy commanding general - rear, and Command Sgt. Major Darrel Wallace, division command sergeant major - rear.

Rear detachments from deployed 1st Inf. Div. units, such as the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Sustainment Brigade and the Combat Aviation Brigade represented their organizations by running with the unit's cased colors.

The Victory Week celebrations will continue throughout the week with various sporting events, a ceremony to honor the division's Soldiers who have died in the past year, an Army and Big Red One birthday celebration, and a formal division review. The week will conclude on June 18 with a festival and concert featuring the groups Savvy and Mandy, All-Star Weekend, and Grand Funk Railroad.