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By Pfc. Kimberly Johnson
USARCENT Public Affairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — Brothers who haven't seen each other since early 2007, both participated in the "Run for the Fallen" together; one in Parsons, Ks., the other in Kuwait, deployed for his third tour in the Middle East.
For David and Derek Greenough, the commemorative run was a way to connect from across the world.
"When I found out I had a chance to take part in the memorial run my brother took part in at home, I was overcome with emotion," said Derek, currently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. "What an opportunity for two brothers in the military to bond, even when they are over 7,000 miles apart."
The "Run for the Fallen" was organized to honor all fallen military members who gave their lives supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The goal was to have Americans run together in all 50 states and across the world for a common reason, to remember the nearly 5,000 service members who carried the burden of freedom to their graves.
The memorial run began in Fort Irwin, Calif., on June 14, 2008, with a small team of runners, to raise awareness about the lives lost defending freedom and to keep their spirits alive.
Over the course of about two months, the running team, with the help of thousands of volunteer runners across America, completed one mile for every fallen Soldier, sailor, airmen and Marine. They reached the gates of Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D.C., Aug. 24, 2008, the final resting place for many of the fallen.
When the team came through Parsons, David, his wife and daughter, along with members of the Parsons High School Cross Country Team he coaches, set out to pay their respects. At the end of the run, they placed a flag for each honorable mile at the edge of town.
"When the memorial run came through, there was no doubt we were going to do it," said the Parsons native. "It was an unbelievable remembrance for the fallen."
In Kuwait, Derek finished the commemorative last mile along with over 100 other service members on the final day of the run.
The Greenoughs have had a family tradition of running together for many years.
"My dad started us running 5Ks together 16 years ago and passed the tradition down to Derek and me," David said. "It's important as a family to do something together. We are grateful to be able to take our whole family out and do the events together. It means a lot all to us but it means the most to my dad."
As soldiers, both Army reservists, Chief Warrant Officer David and Sgt. 1st Class Derek have a deep appreciation for the freedom and sovereignty of the country they swore to uphold.
"Any day we can get up and run is a privilege," said David. "We are lucky to have our health and the protection we have in the U.S. In some countries you do not have that."
The "Run for the Fallen" gave service members and supporters the chance to honor those who sacrificed their all defending the liberty of America.
Thousands of miles separate many in the military from their loved ones. For the Greenough family, even if for only one day, the distance vanished bringing two brothers together again in honor of their family and their America.
| Date Taken: | 08.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.30.2008 20:40 |
| Story ID: | 23049 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 399 |
| Downloads: | 258 |
This work, Brothers reconnect with over 7,000 miles in between them, by SSG Kimberly Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
