Alpha Company hosts 3rd Annual 9/11 Memorial 48-Hour Ruck March

By Pfc. Jong Soo Oh, 1st Signal Brigade Public Affairs OfficeSeptember 30, 2013

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Members of Alpha Company, 304th Expeditionary Signal, held a 48-hour ruck march in Pyeongtaek, South Korea Sept . 13.

The 48 hour relay-style ruck march, a memorial for victims of the September 11, officially began at 0830hrs Sept. 13 and finished at 0900hrs Sept 15.

"Alpha Company decided to hold this event for the first time in 2011 to recognize the lives of those who perished, and those who heroically chose to serve in the military service and their families," said Sgt. Caleb Smotherman, native of Savannah Tennessee.

The weather didn't cooperate for the event. However, that did not stop the volunteers from participating.

The event offered participants the opportunity to compete for the 'timed incentive' where the top 20 percent were awarded USAG-Humphreys Certificate of Achievement and commemorative event coin.

"We had about 300 participants and raised $5,500 last year," said 1st Lt. Lorrena Roeder, native of Vancouver, Washington. "This year we have over 900 people including Soldiers, civilians and Girl's Scout participating, and we are expecting to raise $12,000-$15,000 which is well over our initial target of raising $10,000."

The funds raised will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, which was established to provide support for the wounded warriors returning from active duty around the world.

"The WWP works to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for needs of injured service and women," said Roeder. "Everyone at Alpha Company is very happy to hold a successful event this year and I hope we can continue this success in forthcoming years to actively engage with WPP."