Photo By Charles Haymond | Col. Gavin Marks, 55th Wing commander, presents a 55th WG coin to Master Sgt. Jared...... read more read more
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Imagine running for 24 hours straight. Stopping only every 2 to 4 miles, to resuming again for a purpose.
Unlike Forrest Gump, Master Sgt. Jared Norwood, 55th Security Forces NCO in charge of elite guard operations, signed up for the POW/MIA Remembrance Run. His original intent was to sign up and run for the squadron from 3 – 4:30 a.m.
He wanted to do more for the POW/MIA community. They became his purpose; to honor all those men and women who sacrificed their lives.
“It’s just like in basic training when you hear TAPS play; it’s that feeling in your chest,” said Norwood. “That feeling signifies the sacrifice, honor, and courage, of men and women willing to pay the ultimate price.”
Norwood was running and pushing himself, both mentally and physically. He was able to see every squadron run with the POW/MIA flag with in a 24-hour time span. The different squadrons inspired him, and their spirit and dedication helped him achieve his objective, his purpose.
“It’s easy to get wrapped up and distracted from your purpose,” said Norwood. “Whether it be in our day-to-day job, or negativity and divisiveness in the world right now. This run reminds me that we all belong to something bigger then ourselves.”
The run instilled a much needed perspective of knowing that we are all important and serve a cause greater than ourselves, he said. It reminded him of not only what we are all here for, but what we may be asked to give.
Although the run was trying, he kept his mind on the bigger purpose, he said. He had thought about what the day represented while the smell of jet fuel consumed the air, and he watched the sky change with each hour that passed. He continuously ran, through pain, lap after lap, running a total of 81.37 miles. When the event reached its end, he finished knowing he ran for a reason larger than himself. He thought about those captured and all the horrors they endured. He thought about his brothers and sisters still missing in action.
Imagine running for 24 hours straight.
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2019 13:15 |
| Story ID: | 350361 |
| Location: | OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NE, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Offutt Airman run 24 hours to honor POW/MIA, by Leticia Cunningham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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