Photo By Staff Sgt. Shameeka Stanley | In honor of the fallen, leaders and Soldiers assigned to the 715th Military...... read more read more
This Memorial Day, they came together as a team of more than 20 to conduct a ruck march to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, some of which they knew personally.
“For the few names I included, it was about that feeling of what it was like to see them one day and the next day they were no longer there,” said Staff Sgt. Megan Kinnison, platoon sergeant, A Co, 715th MI Bn. “ Reading about the other service members was difficult,” she said. “Each one got up that day to go to work like any other day. They just didn’t come home.”
At the starting line of 13.1 mile route the Pacific Vigilant Soldiers donned their 35lb ruck sacks with photos of fallen heroes attached to them. The crowds of people cheered them on and thanked them for their service. The event organizer then set the timer. “On your mark… get set… go!” he said. And off they went. With the U.S. Flag swaying in the wind, held by one of the Soldiers, they were on their way.
“This was an opportunity for us to remember all of them and think about their lives, not their death, and to honor their family; that’s important.” said Capt. Katherine Nelson, B Company commander, 715th MI Battalion. “I’ve been taught that time doesn’t heal your pain, it is what you do with your time that can make your pain more manageable,” she added.
The Hibiscus Half Marathon is held every year during Memorial Day weekend. This was the first time Soldiers participated as a team to pay tribute to the fallen.
“I chose to remember my battle buddies lives, and I hope by doing things like this, their legacy will live on,” said Nelson. “But more importantly their families know that we will never forget their ultimate sacrifice.”
During the route, with scenic views of the ocean, the Soldiers, along with other participants of the event, made their way up and down steep hills and turns. Volunteers were set up along the way to provide everyone with water and Gatorade and cheered them on.
“The ruck was special for a number of reason said Pfc. Nam Nguyen, signals intelligence analyst assigned to C Company, 715th MI Battalion. “Not only was I able to participate in a comradery event, it was an honor to carry the names of the fallen Soldiers on my ruck,” he said.
Many of the marathon goers who participated in the event encouraged the Soldiers as they passed them on the route. They thanked them and acknowledged the sacrifice and honor of all of the Soldiers photos with their names attached to their ruck.
This is an awesome thing that you guys are doing, one said. Keep pushing, you got this, said another.
“They fallen Soldiers were the inspiration that kept me going,” said Nguyen. “It was an amazing feeling crossing that finish line,” he added. “Their sacrifices aren’t forgotten.”
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2018 23:53 |
| Story ID: | 280270 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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