Joint Task Force Guantanamo Supports 9.11-mile Freedom Run

Photo By Sgt. Andrew Hillegass | A participant in the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay 9.11-mile Freedom Run receives a coin after finishing 9.11 miles, Sept. 12, 2009. The second annual GTMO run, coordinated by Joint Task Force Guantanamo, was modeled after the Freedom Run founded by the We Do Care organization in Barrington, Ill. This year, in addition to the runners in Barrington and GTMO, runners from Eskan village, Saudi Arabia, and Forward Operating Base Altimur, Afghanistan, also participated.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

09.12.2009

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Katherine Hofman 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Residents of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Troopers gathered in the early morning hours at GTMO's Windmill Beach, Sept. 13, united in support and remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy. The participants took part in the second annual 9.11-mile Freedom Run sponsored by the JTF Guantanamo public affairs team; Morale, Welfare and Recreation; and We Do Care, a non-profit organization based in Barrington, Ill.

The run was modeled after the Freedom Run founded by Dirk Beveridge, president and founder of the We Do Care organization, whose mission is to provide the public opportunities to support and thank active duty military personnel, their families and veterans. Beveridge visited Guantanamo Bay in April 2008 and was inspired to add the JTF-GTMO Troopers to the Freedom Run partnership.

"I have seen firsthand the importance of Guantanamo Bay," said Beveridge. "We Do Care is honored to be partnering with all the service men and women of Joint Task Force Guantanamo for the second year." Beveridge added that he was impressed by the professionalism of the Troopers who provide care for the detainees at GTMO every day.

Beveridge continued on to say, "As you conduct safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, We Do Care is committed to connecting the American public to your mission and the exemplary work of those who wear the cloth of our nation while serving at Guantanamo Bay."

"This run is unique because it reminds the Troopers at GTMO why their mission here is so critical," said Maj. Diana Haynie, deputy director of public affairs for the JTF.

The run began at 6:45 a.m. traveling a course from Windmill Beach through a long and hilly route toward the naval station golf course, then circling back toward the Windmill Beach finish line.

"The hills were rough," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Chesson, one of 16 Navy chief selectees who participated in the run as a group. Chesson went on to express how his fellow selectees helped him to feel supported during the run. "The team kept me going."

The run had special meaning as it gave participants the chance to run in memory of the people who lost their lives on Sept. 11. Such is the case for Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Amirah Azziz. Originally, Azziz chose to run because her friends were going to run, but then began to think about the run in a different way. "I had to do it; I'm here in GTMO," said Azziz. "Even as I ran, even as I was hurting, I kept thinking about the people on Sept. 11."

Beveridge spoke of the stateside Freedom Run which took place Sept. 12, in Barrington, Ill. He said the runners in Illinois were, "thinking of every one of you and your families back home with every step."

Sharing in the enthusiasm and sentiments for the 9.11-mile Freedom Run, more than 226 runners and 60 volunteers provided support at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, along with 500 Barrington runners, 250 runners in Eskan Village, Saudi Arabia, and additional runners in Altimur, Afghanistan.

A small awards ceremony at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay acknowledged the first place men's and women's finishers, Air Force Capt. Dan Dean and GTMO resident Jen Iosue.

Runners who completed the run received an official Freedom Run t-shirt and as participants crossed the finish line, they were presented with a Freedom Run challenge coin. The event transitioned to a barbeque and beach party, hosted by the JTF public affairs office.

The We Do Care organization is a non-profit, non-political, grassroots organization founded by Barrington, Ill., area residents committed to finding appropriate ways of showing appreciation and support to those who serve. For more information, visit the Web site, www.we-do-care.org.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2009
• Date Posted: 09.15.2009 20:55
• Story ID: 38820
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU