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    Oklahoma Guard Soldiers honor fallen Thunderbirds

    Oklahoma Guard Soldiers honor fallen Thunderbirds

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony Jones | A mix of civilians and Soldiers of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team wait to begin...... read more read more

    NORMAN, OK, UNITED STATES

    10.09.2015

    Courtesy Story

    45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

    Story by Pfc. Brianne Rhodes, 45th IBCT

    NORMAN, Okla. - More than 300 people spent their Friday morning participating in the fifth annual 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Fallen Heroes Half Marathon honoring 19 fallen Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers in Norman, Oklahoma, Oct. 9.

    Each mile of the half-marathon was marked by a banner representing the 15 Soldiers lost from the 45th IBCT. Every banner included a photo and short bio about that particular Soldier.

    “It’s good to be here to help support our brothers and sister lost in battle,” said Sgt. Jeff Wilson, a first-time runner in the event and a cavalry scout from Troop A, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment.

    Most of the money raised, including a $45 registration fee and donations from corporate sponsors, goes to a scholarship fund that will be given to a family member of one of the fallen service members while the rest of the money is used to hold the event. So far, they’ve raised almost $20,000, according to Kara Kuykendall, the executive director of the National Guard Association of Oklahoma and a volunteer for the past four years.

    The marathon started in 2011 while elements of the 45th IBCT were deployed to Afghanistan, said Warrant Officer Rowdy Isbill, the half-marathon co-director from 45th’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company. When a few Soldiers died during the deployment, those back in Oklahoma decided to put together a half-marathon honoring them. The Fallen Hero Family Member Scholarship was established for the second annual marathon in 2012.

    There’s no official place system or individual medals for placing, but each participant is given a T-shirt and participation medal. It took around six months to plan, said Isbill.

    “It’s grown bigger and bigger each year,” Isbill said. “We’ve had almost 15 corporate sponsors donate to help contribute to the event.”

    Police officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department volunteered to help make the race route safer for the participants.

    Many of the participants and volunteers have connections either to those that were lost overseas or to the units they were with.

    “Families have given and lost so much,” said Lloyd Smithson, a Survivor Outreach Services Support coordinator and retired Airman. “The least we can do is make sure they know their families aren’t forgotten. The marathon keeps the memories alive.”

    If you’re interested in participating in next year’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Fallen Heroes Half Marathon, you can learn more at http://www.45ibctfallenheroes.org/.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.09.2015
    Date Posted: 10.13.2015 13:55
    Story ID: 178677
    Location: NORMAN, OK, US

    Web Views: 476
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN