ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md.-More than 700 people from across the country showed their support to Gold Star families by participating in the APG Monument to Monument Run to Honor virtual 5K run/walk April 9-11.
Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted the sold-out event in honor of Gold Star Spouses Day, April 5. The event raises awareness of the Survivor Outreach Services program, the APG Living Legacy Forest Gold Star Memorial, the Fallen Star Memorial, the Gold Star Mothers statue and the Gold Star community.
Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator Mike Farlow, with Army Community Service, said APG has 276 surviving family members living in six counties: Harford, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne, Caroline and Talbot. This year 59 Gold Star family members registered for the run.
The three-day event was held virtually to encourage social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were encouraged to complete the 5K run in their communities or on a treadmill.
In addition to running and walking for a good cause, participants had the option of submitting their run time to Charm City Run to compete with other runners.
Sharing stories on social media
The week leading up to the virtual 5K, Gold Star family members shared their stories on APG social media outlets with video clips and podcasts. Farlow thanked the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command/APG Strategic Communications Directorate for leading this effort.
“Their involvement takes this event to the next level and pushes it far beyond what I would ever be able to do myself,” he said.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Martin “Marty” Angulo, formerly of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, spoke in one of the video clips and ran in honor of his spouse, Staff Sgt. Lonideierdre Angulo. He said he enjoys running because it gives him time to reflect.
“I do a lot of my thinking on long runs,” he said. “This run especially, it just reminds me of things that I shared with [my wife] when we used to go on runs together.”
Angulo ran with his daughters Olivianna and Valentina Angulo. Their route included the Fallen Star Memorial located within The Government and Technology Enterprise business park, also known as The GATE, and the Living Legacy Forest Gold Star Memorial, near Top of the Bay.
“Families have given such a big sacrifice, you know, and they have to continue to live life without their loved one,” he said. “But we have a place we can go to share those memories.”
Angulo said he felt encouraged when he saw other families participating and thanked the APG Police for directing traffic to ensure the event was safe for everyone. His family “felt touched,” he said, listening to the stories of other Gold Star families on social media before the run.
“[Hosting the race] virtually allows much more support, and those that want to do it will do it,” he said.
Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves, of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, completed the run while visiting his daughter in Washington. As a Soldier, he said, it is crucial for him to stay physically fit.
“The virtual race format is different and allows athletes to compete even during the challenging times our country faces, while simultaneously protecting our competitors from COVID through social distancing,” he said.
Graves said he participated to compete with other athletes and to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“I think it is important for myself, particularly, to show others that our senior leaders acknowledge the ultimate sacrifices other service members and their families have endured to secure our nation from aggression,” he said. “It’s a way to honor those who have fallen for the cause of preserving our great nation’s freedom.”
Survivor community
Gold Star Mother Janice Chance, walked in honor of her son Marine Capt. Jesse Melton III, killed in action Sept. 9, 2008. She wanted to complete the 5K on APG, she said, because she feels at home here. Farlow accompanied her on the walk.
“APG leadership and all of the people in this community that I have interfaced with, have been keeping their promise to never forget our fallen heroes and to be there for us, the families to support us as we continue on our journey,” she said.
Supporting the event
Farlow said many people contributed to the success of the event and thanked the sponsors of the run,
APGFCU, Linchpin, AUSA and Tribalco.
“Their generosity and continuous support of our Survivor community contributed highly to the success of the event,” he said.
Farlow said proceeds from the race will go toward future Gold Star recognitions and events.
To view the results of the race, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/84939/#resultSetId-237992. To view and listen to stories from Gold Star family members visit https://www.facebook.com/APGMd/.
Social Sharing