Photo By Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger | Maj. Carlos Kavetsky and Chief Warrant Officer (3) Miguel Castro, assigned to...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — More than 750 service members and civilians at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, gathered together May 10, to step into an event that fostered esprit de corps and helped celebrate motherhood.
Traditionally on the airfield, organizations sponsor 5-kilometer runs for a particular cause. Task Force Provider decided to double the dosage, and hosted a 10-kilometer Mother’s Day race.
Col. Ron Novack, 3rd Sustainment Brigade-Task Force Provider commander and Weatherly, Pa., native, said facilitating a lengthier run at Kandahar Airfield was significant.
"This run is for all of our mothers,” said Novack to the participants just before the race, “whether they are here in our ranks, or back home supporting us, or smiling down on us from above. Today, we're going to go the extra mile for our mothers."
Capt. Dan O’Connor, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Sustainment Bde., organized the event.
“We wanted to do something further, harder and more challenging,” he said about the idea to host an approximately 6-mile trek. “The longer distance makes the event stand out more and it becomes more special.”
A team of more than 50 Task Force Provider soldiers contributed to the set-up and helped facilitate the event. Throughout the route, there were select soldiers at who handed out water, marked turn-around points, cheered on the runners and ensured everyone’s safety.
“I figured I could motivate them more by running with them,” said volunteer and HHC, 3rd Sustainment Brigade Soldier, Spc. Tyrell Mitchell. “I simply love to run, and I like to help my fellow soldiers better themselves.
“Part of the Warrior Ethos ‘I will never accept defeat, I will never quit, I will never leave a fallen comrade’ plays over and over in my mind as I run,” said Mitchell, who, after completing the race, ran back a few more times to help motivate others to finish strong.
Several runners finished strong and the winners of the race were awarded with certificates of achievements and a Task Force Provider deployment coin. O’Connor said the event in itself is an overall win for the deployed service members.
“Events like these become such a useful tool during deployment,” said the Dedham, Mass., native. “Study after study shows that physical activity reduces stress, improves moods, takes your mind off of other things, and above all, it promotes this idea of family because you’re out there and everyone next to you, motivating and pushing you, becomes a part of your family.”
Mitchell, a native of Carthage, Ark., agrees.
“It brings us together as a family because (while in Afghanistan) the soldiers standing to your left and right are the only family we have,” he said. “The 10K is not a short run for most soldiers, so it helped us to work together to accomplish the same mission. That is what the Army is all about.”
The top male finishers were Tom Bolsius, 37:00; Capt. Juantonio Rivera, 37:18 and Pfc. Jordan Lewis, 39.06. The three fastest female runners were Chief Warrant Officer (2) Jessica Lee, 45:06; Theresa Klosinski, 45:30 and Capt. Jodie McQuillan, 47:38. The 3rd Sustainment Brigade also recognized the top three Provider runners: Capt. Dan O’Connor , 40:38; Maj. Carlos Kavetsky, 43:14 and Chief Warrant Officer (3) Miguel Castro, 43:15.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2013 13:22 |
| Story ID: | 106807 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | WEATHERLY, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 318 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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