2,300 people march in Dancon

Photo By Spc. Laura Bigenho | Tired feet continue to step as they cross the Dancon March Finish Line at Camp Victory on May 27. An estimated 2,300 people participated in the 12.4 mile march, which raises money for charity and builds camaraderie among troops.  

IRAQ

06.03.2007

Story by Spc. Laura Bigenho 

28th Public Affairs Detachment

Army Spc. Laura M. Bigenho
28th Public Affairs Detachment

When Sgt. Maj. Tammy Coon was asked to organize a Dancon March, she happily took the challenge. After marching in the 12.4-mile Danish march last year, Coon saw and experienced first-hand the benefits of having such an event. She expected the same would apply to future marches. What she did not expect was the massive amount of people who seemed to agree.

An estimated 2,300 people marched in the latest Dancon, held May 27 at Camp Victory, making it the largest in history. Coon, the Multi-National Forces-Iraq C-1 senior enlisted advisor, attributed its success to a strong desire to help others and a successful marketing plan.

"The event was made possible by a strong desire from people who want to make a difference and help people forget about the woes of everyday living out here," she said.

With an initial goal of 700 participants, Coon was shocked when that number was exceeded within the first week and a half of registration.

As interest poured in and people requested she allow more to sign up, Coon made a decision to bump the number up to 1,500. She later went as far as allowing others to sign up on the morning of the march.

"People were practically begging to sign up, which was a clear indication that folks needed something to get their minds off the stressors in theater, so I got with the Danes and they said, 'Do not turn anybody away,'" she said.

Eric Weber, Danish ambassador, said the Dancon March is Danish tradition that occurs when there is a change of command in that nation's military. More than just a challenging trek, the Dancon "brings people together and it is a charity march."

"The Dancon march is an event that fosters camaraderie, boosts morale, and in the end you have a sense of accomplishment," Coon said.

Participants pay for their medal and an additional fee, which is given to a pre-determined charity.

"With this march, the Baghdad kindergarten will get a large amount of (school supplies) from the surplus of money raised," Weber said.

Coon said the march was a reflection of how caring people are out here, as many participants said they participated because it was a charity march.

Senior Airman Jennifer Harris, intelligence analyst with the MNF-I Combined Intelligence Operation Center, said she marched because she wanted to help make a difference.

"I wanted to do it because $5 of the fee went to the Baghdad kindergarten and I wanted to say I did something different while I was here in Baghdad," Harris said.

Being her first long road march with weapon and boots, Harris said she also wanted to challenge herself to something new.

"It was a lot longer than I thought it would be," she said. "I am pretty darn proud of myself for finishing."

Spc. Brian Brown, satellite communications specialist, and his commander, Capt. Manuel Ramirez, Headquarters and Headquarters Service Company, 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion, marched together. Both agreed the march was for a good cause and helped build camaraderie.

"Stuff like this gets you out of your office and away from work," Ramirez said. "It's something fun you can do and is a good unit-cohesion (event)."

Brown said that despite carrying the company guidon and the sweltering Baghdad heat, the hardest part of the march was not having a cigarette for a few hours.
"I think the most difficult part was not being able to smoke," he laughed. "As soon as I pick up my certificate and medal, I'm going to have me a cigarette."

Coon said she was very pleased with the Dancon and has a lot of people to thank for it.
"Now that it's over, I do feel a sense of relief, but I also feel a sense of pride in my folks because they busted their butts this whole time to make it happen," she said.
Weber couldn't be more pleased.

"Everyone has done a terrific job," he said. "They have worked very hard with Danish organizers, but without the help of everyone out here, (the Dancon) would've been impossible."

• Date Taken: 06.03.2007
• Date Posted: 06.03.2007 05:38
• Story ID: 10631
• Location: IQ