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Vandenberg honors fallen servicemembers with 'A Run to Remember'
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Every day servicemembers are asked to go the extra mile, fighting in and supporting the Global War on Terrorism. Some even make the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives for freedom.
It's with those military men and women in mind that the 14th Air Force is asking all of Team Vandenberg to join together here at home and go that extra mile in "A Run to Remember."
From Oct. 20 to Nov. 11, A Run to Remember allows active duty military, civilians, contractors and retirees to run one mile for each servicemember who fell in the line of duty in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. For each mile, the runner is asked to donate $5 to charities within the Combined Federal Campaign that benefit wounded and fallen warriors. The goal is to raise $25,000.
Running takes place Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Nov. 10. On Nov. 10, the run will go 35 hours straight, finishing with a base-wide run in formation that will end at 11 a.m. in front of the 14th AF headquarters building.
The run, which takes place at the base track, will kick off with an invocation from Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Grubbs, the 30th Space Wing chaplain. The first runner of the 17-day fundraiser is Lt. Gen. William Shelton, the commander of the 14th Air Force and the Joint Functional Component Command for Space.
"I am proud to be a part of this project to honor the 4,765 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who died while serving their country in the Global War on Terror," General Shelton said. "Running a mile in honor of every one of these heroes is a great idea, giving us the opportunity to reflect on their sacrifices. I'll be out there running in memory of these patriots. I hope you will join me and the Space Warriors of Team Vandenberg who are behind this worthy project."
While the run for each fallen servicemember is one mile, participants can sign-up for as many miles as they like, donating $5 per mile. And if a person would like to participate, but cannot run due to injuries or for other reasons, they can walk or even volunteer in other capacities.
"We would like everyone in the community to participate," said Senior Master Sgt. Cynthia O'Byrne, the 614th Air Operations Center intelligence reconnaissance division superintendant. "If they want to come out and be part of this - if it's just to hand out water, just to read a bio - we will gladly welcome their volunteer efforts, money, or their ability to run or walk in support of those who have fallen."
People interested in running or volunteering are encouraged to sign up by Oct. 15. To participate in the run, go to www.militarycity.com/valor/honor.html to find the name of a fallen servicemember. The database is searchable by name, birth date, hometown, etc. Once a name has been selected, check the spreadsheet that will be sent through Vandenberg e-mail to make sure the person is not already being represented. If the name or names are not represented, then send an e-mail to 14afruntoremember@vandenberg.af.mil. Last, make a donation to the Combined Federal Campaign at $5 per mile by contacting your unit CFC representative.
A fundraiser like this not only allows Team V to donate to projects that take care of injured servicemembers and honor our fallen brothers and sisters in arms, but it also serves as a reminder.
"One of our other goals is awareness," said Master Sgt. Anthony Calfo, the 614th AOC NCO in charge of collection management. "This allows people to really, truly reflect back on the sacrifices of a lot of servicemembers and those families left behind. This allows them to feel pride as to the contributions their loved one has given."
For more information, send an e-mail to 14afruntoremember@vandenberg.af.mil.