Impacting heroes: 373rd CSSB hosts run/walk for wounded warriors

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers and civilians at Camp Liberty, Iraq, run and walk 5K during the first ever Iraq Impact A Hero Shadow Run/Walk 5K, June 6. The run was dedicated to the wounded warriors of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Impact a Hero is a non-profit organization dedicated to the emotional and financial wellbeing of wounded warriors.  

VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, IRAQ

06.17.2010

Story by Spc. Gaelen Lowers 

3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

Story by: Sgt. Gaelen Lowers

VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq– “Imagine waking up every day without one or more of your limbs, with severe burns or even being paralyzed. For hundreds of War on Terror wounded veterans these new physical realities will be with them for the rest of their lives.”

These words are from the Web site of Impact A Hero, a non-partisan organization that provides emotional and financial support to wounded warriors from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Sugar Land, Texas has hosted a 5K Run/Walk/Wheel for the past six years to raise money and awareness for Impact A Hero. People from all walks of life travel from across the country to participate in the event, including some of the wounded warriors whom they are trying to help. Lt. Col. Giulia Giacoppe, commander of the 373rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) has participated in this event for the past three years. This year, her unit is deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, so instead of missing the event back home, she brought it to Iraq.

“It helps build awareness for our wounded Soldiers coming home who don't always get the support that they need,” said Giacoppe, a Sugar Land native. “It helps them get back into the community, puts needed finances in their hands and also provides emotional support and mentorship for them to get back on their feet.”

The shadow run held at Camp Liberty, Iraq attracted a great turnout. Almost 1,000 people turned out for the event, which is, said Giacoppe, far more than was anticipated.

“When most people think of a hero, they think of a Soldier, and that's a good thing,” said Spc. Joshua Tankersley, a 373rd CSSB chaplain’s assistant, event coordinator and Paradise, Texas native. “But most people don't realize the ultimate sacrifice that many of these Soldiers make every day. We hope that this shadow run will raise money and awareness for these Soldiers. It's because of their sacrifices that we have the freedoms that we have today.”

Soldiers and civilians participating in the shadow run at Camp Liberty were encouraged to go online and make donations to the Impact A Hero fund.

Last year, the Impact A Hero 5K Run/Walk/Wheel in Sugar Land raised $165,000. This year they raised more than $200,000, according to their Web site. For more information about Impact A Hero and their events, visit www.impactahero.com.

• Date Taken: 06.17.2010
• Date Posted: 06.17.2010 07:20
• Story ID: 51533
• Location: VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, IQ