Exercising to honor, inspire

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jacob Morgan | This is U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Terrod Jackson, left, 255th Air Control Squadron cyber transport technician, and his wife, Nikki. Jackson collapsed while running in a charity race to raise money for the Boston Marathon bombing victims at the beginning of May and is currently in a long-term care facility in Hattiesburg, Miss. The 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, made up of members of the 255th, is currently raising money for the Jackson’s using an exercise competition to travel more than 7,900 miles to support the Jacksons. (Courtesy photo)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

07.02.2013

Story by Senior Airman Jacob Morgan 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - At the beginning of their deployment, a team of four Royal Air Force members from the No. 1 Air Control Center set out to exercise their way back to Lincoln, England, roughly 3,400 miles away, in honor of United Kingdom and U.S. service members who have been injured or killed in contingency operations overseas.

Broken down, each member was traveling more than 12 miles a day, but not literally traveling across the world. Instead, they were attending classes and working out here running, cycling, rowing and swimming to inspire others to stay fit to fight.

During the process, the RAF team, consisting of Sgt. Scott Harrison, Flight Sgt. Craig Burden, Flight Lt. James Farrall and squadron leader Matthew Jack, raised more than $1,500 for the U.K. and U.S. charities. On Independence Day, the RAF members met their goal and inspired a new effort for a different cause.

"It kept us focused, gave us a routine, brought us together as a team and raised some money for a good cause. The program gave us more than one common goal," said Burden. "When we sat down and wanted to do this, we obviously wanted to help a UK charity, but it became quite obvious very quickly that we should also support a U.S. charity because of the partnership we have."

Their partners, the members of the 255th Air Control Squadron from Gulfport, Miss., are assigned with them at the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here. The 255th is scheduled to start their own effort to exercise back home more than 7,900 miles away July 15. The goal of the program is to promote health, fitness and camaraderie. Most importantly and similar to the RAF effort, to honor and help a member who may not ever deploy again.

"It really comes down to support," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Seaton Hixson, 727th EACS first sergeant. "The RAF guys decided to support an American charity; they didn't have to do that. They inspired us when they chose to support those who are not with us. We want to do the same for Terrod."

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Terrod Jackson, 255th Air Control Squadron cyber transport technician and Lamar County, Miss., school system information technology technician, collapsed while running in a charity race to raise money for the Boston Marathon bombing victims at the beginning of May. Jackson went into cardiac arrest and suffered brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

Jackson, who was honoring those killed and injured in the Boston Marathon bombings through exercise, is now being honored by his deployed unit members in the same manner.

The 7,900 miles will be completed by more than 80 members assigned to the 727th EACS as a voluntary effort, said Hixson.

Each member plans to push each other to complete more miles every day. Any exercise that covers distance will count to include but not limited to swimming, running, cycling and rowing.

To honor and help Jackson, the members plan to use the fitness program to raise money for him and his wife.

"He is part of the unit and we want to take care of his family as he has taken care of us," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Polley, 727th EACS air surveillance technician.

"This is one of the better ways of doing that, people back home will be able to see us reach out from across the world."

Jackson currently stays in a long-term care facility, where he is showing signs of recovery by keeping his eyes open for extended periods of time and reacting to sounds. He probably does not know his friends are supporting him from almost 8,000 miles away.

"He is just a great person all together, he is a great NCO and a great guy, he has tremendous influence on all of us," said Hixson. "He most likely will not be able to serve the military any more, but that doesn't mean we cannot serve him."

From the moment of the incident when Jackson collapsed and still today, there has been an outpouring from the community of Hattiesburg, Miss., for him, said Hixson. The deployed members of the 255th ACS have already raised over $1,000 dollars for Terrod Jackson and his wife Nikki adding to the nearly $4500 raised by the unit as a whole both deployed and at home station in Gulfport.

"Terrod touches everyone that he comes into contact with in a positive way," said Hixson. "He was always smiling and there was a certain energy that comes whenever he's around. We hope to raise as much as we can to help even further."

• Date Taken: 07.02.2013
• Date Posted: 07.14.2013 02:32
• Story ID: 110173
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: GULFPORT, MS, US