Friends and Family members of the 35th Signal Brigade will keep their loved ones close during this deployment by participating in a Walk to Baghdad...and Back.
"We did this in Germany every time a unit deployed," said Donna Ramos, 67th Signal Battalion Family readiness assistant.
The walk will kick off with a ceremony at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at Barton Field. The first 200 brigade Family members will receive a pedometer, and the first 250 people who purchase a T-shirt will receive a free gift.
In addition, there will be inflatable games for children at the event.
It's about 13,000 miles from Fort Gordon to Baghdad.
Participants in the walk will log their miles at the America on the Move website www.americaonthemove.org. Also, exercise other than walking can count toward the overall goal of walking to Baghdad and back by the time the 500 members of the 35th Signal Brigade return. They left last month.
"Fifteen minutes of exercise is equivalent to one mile," said Kimberly McKee, 35th Signal Battalion Family readiness assistant.
The entire community is encouraged to participate. One Augusta church has already pledged its support.
While 13,000 miles sounds like a lot, organizers said if many people participate, it shouldn't take long to make a trek to Baghdad. The women said they hope enough miles will be logged to make it a round-trip.
McKee said there will likely be another celebration to announce the number of miles logged before the 35th returns home.
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