Reserve Sailors assist during Patriots’ Festival for Heroes

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Gilbert Bolibol | 150912-N-WR119-072 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 12, 2015) U.S. NORTHCOM-NORAD color guard present colors during the Chick-fil-A Patriots Festival. The event took place the day after Patriot Day where more than 60 Sailors volunteered for the event that honors those who put themselves in harm’s way to serve our country and community. Patriot Day is an annual observance on Sept. 11 to remember the 2,977 who died during the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gilbert Bolibol/Released)  

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES

09.12.2015

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert Bolibol 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – More than 60 U.S. Navy Reserve Sailors from Operational Support Unit (OSU) 1914 located at Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Fort Carson volunteered at the 5th Annual Chick-fil-A Patriots’ Festival for Heroes on Sept. 12, 2015, the day after Patriot Day.

Patriot Day is an annual observance on Sept. 11 to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States when 2,977 individuals were killed in New York and Washington, D.C.

The event was hosted and founded by Chick-fil-A franchise owners Linda Watson and her husband Randy to honor those who put themselves in harm’s way to serve our country and community.

“We decided at the time of 9/11 to do something to honor our police officers, military and firefighters that we would see come into our restaurant and do a special tribute for them and to give the public an opportunity to experience what our first responders do to protect our community,” said Linda Watson. “We want the members of the military and their families to come out and be a part of this event and to enjoy this day.”

The Patriots’ Festival included a parade, 5K run, two mile kid’s fun run, a Heroes Challenge 28-mile bike ride and a Champions Challenge 43-mile bike ride.

Yeoman Seaman Josiah Dixon helped with directing runners during the course. “Supporting the Patriots' Festival was a success for us because we were able to give a helping hand,” said Dixon. “We are a smaller unit in a place where the Navy isn't in the public eye and when we are able to inject ourselves into the community and support events like this it gives me great honor to be able to represent the Navy.”

Sailors supported the event by handing water to the participants, directing runners and bikers throughout the course, assisting with parking and encouraging the participants throughout the race.

Lt. Cmdr. John Dietrich, officer in charge of OSU 1914 said that events like this a great to be able to support. “This was an excellent opportunity for the OSU to get out and support the community, our fellow veterans and first responders,” said Dietrich. “The support we provided was invaluable in making the event run smoothly. We were extremely happy to take a day away from our normal duties at the NOSC to go out a make a positive impact in the local community."

For more news from Navy Region Southwest, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrsw/

• Date Taken: 09.12.2015
• Date Posted: 09.14.2015 09:24
• Story ID: 175964
• Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US
• Hometown: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US
• Hometown: PUEBLO, CO, US