Service Members "Labor" during fun run

Photo By Sgt. Wesley Landrum | Service members finish up the last leg of the Labor Day Fun Run at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Sept. 3. More than 500 service members participated in the 5k run.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

09.03.2007

Story by Spc. Wesley Landrum 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

By Wesley Landrum
50th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The sun had yet to bless the earth with her rays when the horn sounded signaling the runners to start the Labor Day 5K Fun Run at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Sep. 3. On a day traditionally set aside in the United States to take a break from work by devoting the day to rest, more than 500 Third Army/ U.S. Army Central personnel gathered in the early hours of the morning to participate in the event. Lt. Col. Michael O. Logusz, G-9 Civil Affairs Third Army/U.S. Army Central, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., said the run was great fun and there was no better place to be than at the run.

"I wanted to be where the action was and demonstrate that we can all do this run," he said. "It doesn't matter what time you did it in, just come out and have fun and a great time."

The 5k run route presented runners with challenges such as hills, dips, and curves. Master Sgt. Ruby Murray, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) G-3 FRAGO non-commissioned officer in charge, came out with fellow members of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. She said having more fun runs will ultimately help put the Soldiers' minds at ease.

"If you build their spirit up from the inside, if they had a bad day or a bad night, just coming out here motivating their body will make the rest of their day fine," she said.

Labor Day, "the last official day of the summer," is a day that people take off to rest and relax. Murray said when it comes to being a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, there are no days off.

"This is something that we live and breathe. It's just leadership style," Murray said. "In order to get into this elite club, you must portray the role of Audie Murphy who always led from the front. Regardless of the time of day, we came out and volunteered our services. When we're not pulling road guard for the event, we're participating in it."

Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Spillane, Navy Customs Battalion Sierra and a native of Kernsville, N.C., said team incentive was the deciding factor in running the 5k fun run. Having just been selected for Chief Petty Officer, he and the other inductees decided to run together as a group.

"A run like this helps us build teamwork because we're running this together," Spillane said.

While the run was just for fun, the participants said overall cohesion, not just unit cohesion, is the big goal.

"We see Marine, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Army participating," Logusz said. "It's like all the branches were one big unit. I saw a lot of good morale out here today."

• Date Taken: 09.03.2007
• Date Posted: 09.03.2007 04:31
• Story ID: 12101
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW