Photo By Staff Sgt. Ariel Owings | U.S. Air Force Maj. Jon Leetch, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. 41st Flying Training...... read more read more
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In remembrance of 9/11, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst service members and volunteers walked 100 miles beginning Sept. 10.
During the annual ruck march, the participants received cash donations from patrons or online donations through one of the various social media outlets created for the cause. The money collected will be used to maintain the Sept. 11 memorial and museum in New York City.
“It’s a good time to have comradery, to show the public this tragedy that happened in 2001 is still a big part of military and American life,” said Tech. Sgt. Jared Todd, 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist. “Seeing the support and the unity of everyone coming together for a good cause is really nice.”
The participants marched as long as they desired and a van drove alongside them for any rest breaks. They stopped at every fire station along the way to thank firefighters for their service, shared memories of that day 18 years ago, and exchanged unit patches.
“This means a lot to [me],” said Karen Mattson, New Jersey native participant. “A big part is [I] come from a military family. Another part is because my cousin survived that horrific day when the south tower went down. We thank God that he is still with us.”
The march continued through the night into Sept. 11 where they finished upon reaching the memorial. Throughout the 100 miles, participants took turns carrying a prisoner of war/missing in action flag along with an American flag that served in Afghanistan to commemorate the individuals who lost their lives during the attacks.
Upon arrival at the 9/11 memorial, the American flag was folded during a ceremonial display and then presented to a staff member of the memorial who will display it within the museum.
The 18-year anniversary of Sept. 11 closed out with the completion of another 100 miles, which raised more than $10,000.
“[This] is one of those things you can’t put into words; the feeling that you get when you arrive [at ground zero],” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Dana, 20th Attack Squadron remotely piloted aircraft pilot from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. “What we just accomplished over the last two days, emotionally, [I] can’t explain it to people, you have to do it for yourself to understand the experience.”
(Editor Note: some last names omitted for security reasons)
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2019 10:24 |
| Story ID: | 346094 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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