Fourth of July run in the sun

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Glenn Sierra | From left to right: Staff Sgt. Danny Mitchell from Brownwood, Texas; Spc. Angelica Trevino from Lubbock, Texas; 1st Lt. J.T. Seargeant from Houston, Texas; Sgt. 1st Class David Harte from Brownwood, Texas; and Spc. Echo Holland from Miles, Texas, all with HHC, 111th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Roughneck, personnel section from Forward Operating Base Deh Dadi 2 pose at the 5K Fourth of July fun run finish line. Physical fitness is a soldier’s indicator of readiness and events like this 5K run give leaders a chance to have fun training. (Photo by: Sgt. 1st Class Glenn Sierra, Task Force Roughneck Public Affairs)  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DEH DADI II, AFGHANISTAN

07.04.2011

Courtesy Story

18th Engineer Brigade

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DEH DADI 2, Afghanistan - Staff members of the human resource section of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Roughneck, got into the spirit of the Fourth of July by taking a quick pause from their jobs to strengthen their bond as a team by participating in a 5K run.

There were challenges for the soldiers during the Fourth of July run: rocks, sand and sun.

“It really is different running here-running on rocks and breathing in the dust,” said Staff Sgt. Danny Mitchell, HHC, 111th Engineer Battalion, section sergeant from Brownwood, Texas. “There were a couple of spots on the road that was just fine powder. You just had to wait when people ran in front of you; otherwise, you’d get dusted.”

“Since my section is working shifts there’s not a whole lot of time we get to spend together. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to do some PT [physical training] together,” said 1st Lt. John Seargeant with HHC, 111th Engineer Battalion, personnel section officer from Houston, Texas. “They kind of griped about having to get up early…and once they got out there and finished, they were glad they did it.”

The section has been busy taking care of soldiers needs like pay issues, leave dates, promotions, and most important to their unit commander, the unit’s overall strength. “We’re trying to give the battalion commander a snapshot of the battalion’s overall strength at any given time so that he can make the right decisions” explained Sgt. 1st Class David Harte, HHC, 111th Engineer Battalion, personnel section sergeant from Brownwood, Texas. "So, we've been real busy. This run was a nice break."

All the participants enjoyed the event, each other, and were relieved when it was over. "We just did a 5K run." Said Spc. Angelica Trevino, HHC, 111th Engineer Battalion, a human resource specialist from Lubbock, Texas. "It was challenging. My feet would just sink into the rocks as I ran, but I made it!”

As the dust settled and the soldiers started heading off to get cleaned up, Mitchell confessed, “I love my country. This is the Fourth of July. And with this run, it turned out pretty motivational. I wouldn’t have done this if it hadn’t been for lieutenant seargeant. If I hadn’t done it, today would’ve been just another day. When I get back home I’m gonna get into events like this. I’ll remember this Fourth of July the rest of my life.”

• Date Taken: 07.04.2011
• Date Posted: 07.13.2011 01:34
• Story ID: 73619
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE DEH DADI II, AF