FORT RUCKER, Ala. (April 21, 2015) -- The rain held out as hundreds of runners, family members and friends of fallen Soldiers and surviving family members gathered to run and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
Fort Rucker, and the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted the Survivors and Fallen Heroes 5K run behind the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Center April 11 to remember those who gave their lives in service to the nation.
Maj. Gen. Michael D. Lundy, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, as well as other senior leaders, participated in the run and spoke briefly on the sacrifices that fallen Soldiers and family members have made and how it's important to recognize those sacrifices.
"We've got a number of those family members (of fallen Soldiers) out here today and we're really proud to have you here today as a part of our team, so we really appreciate everybody coming out to support this run," he said.
There are 523 fallen service members from the Alabama and northwest Florida area, according to Rick Kohl, Survivor Outreach Services support coordinator. Runners had the chance to honor a fallen service member by donning gold stars with the name of a fallen Soldier on it.
Kenyatta Petty, military spouse, said it felt like her duty to come out and honor the sacrifices made for her freedoms.
"I feel like these guys and girls have given their lives for us and worked really hard for the freedoms we share. I've always wanted to do something like this to give back," said Petty, who has a daughter in the Air Force. "It's my first time and I'm really excited to do this for all that they've sacrificed."
Carla Newsome, Army spouse, agreed, and said the support that events like the 5K provide is necessary to help Gold Star Families heal.
"I just feel like the fallen Soldiers and the survivors have given so much, and this is my way to give back -- by showing them this respect," said Newsome, who's spent 25 years as a military family member. "You see and hear so many stories of families who have been through so much, so it's important to show them the support that they deserve -- I'm doing this for them."
The Patriot Guard Riders lined the start and finish of the course, which was also lined with American flags, to show respect for those who have sacrificed.
Kohl said it's events like the 5K that honor the Gold Star Families and the fallen Soldiers by making sure they're not forgotten.
"Gold Star Families have a unique perspective on the price of freedom," he said. "They always express gratitude for the outreach and ongoing connection to the Army family."
Trophies were given out in various categories for the run, but rather than focusing on the competition, the event focused on remembering, and Tammy Lance, military family member, said the amount of support she saw for the survivors and fallen was overwhelming.
"I grew up in a military family and two of my brothers are in the military, so I understand the sacrifices that are made every day," she said. "Thankfully, my family has never had to experience losing one of our own, but there are hundreds, thousands of families out there who have. We have to show them that we care about them because I would want that support from others if I was in that situation.
"I can't imagine what it's like to lose a loved one like that, but knowing that people are here to support and remember those who have fallen would not just make it easier for me, but make me so proud," Lance said.
Related Links:
USAACE and Fort Rucker on Twitter
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