Photo By 1st Lt. Nathan Lavy | Sgt. Gregory Jackson, a psychological operations non-commissioned officer with the 3rd...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq— Hundreds of service members gathered for a 10K race in the early morning Sept. 11 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, in the spirit of competition to honor the memory of those lost during the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“We gather today to honor the lives of those killed in the attack nine years ago,” said Brig. Gen. Randal Dragon, the deputy commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and senior mission commander on COB Adder. “This is our way to honor them. Take a moment to reflect on your service and everything you’ve done in the service of our nation.”
Sgt. Gregory Jackson, a psychological operations noncommissioned officer with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and a St. Louis, Mo., native, was the fastest male who completed the race, in just under 40 minutes.
“When I learned of a half marathon that I am going to run when I go on R&R [rest and recuperation leave] soon, I adjusted my training for it,” said Jackson. “The 9/11 10K acted not only as a great training run, but also as a great way to remember those fallen on that tragic day nine years ago.”
To Jackson, winning the race was special and different from any of his others.
“I am a sponsored runner back home and I run in quite a few races every year,” he said. “However, to race on 9/11 is an event where I dig a little deeper and push a little harder. I know neither I, nor anyone else, can run fast enough or push hard enough to erase the events of that day. But at least once a year we can show in our own way the motivation and determination that has grown from the rubble of the World Trade Center.”
That day, Jackson also re-enlisted for an additional six years in the Army.
Sgt. Janelle Drennan, an intelligence analyst with the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, from Fort Lewis, Wash., was the fastest female, finishing just seconds behind Jackson.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sandy Andrade, a transportation movement request officer-in-charge with the 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Sacramento, Calif. native, was the first place female in the 36 to 45-year-old age group, finishing in just over 51 minutes.
“I’m here in Iraq for my second tour because of what happened that day,” said Andrade. “I will always remember where I was and what I was doing 11 September 2001.”
The event was hosted by the soldiers with the 28th Combat Support Hospital, 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support), from Fort Bragg, N.C. In addition to recognizing the individuals who placed in the top three in their respective age groups with door prizes and trophies, there was a raffle of various signed sports equipment and memorabilia, free goodie bags, t-shirts, and hats.
“I’ve participated in several other runs here on COB Adder, and this run was very nicely organized,” said Andrade. “They had ice cold water before the run even started. They had lots of door prizes. Awesome job by the 28th Combat Support Hospital.”
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2010 08:36 |
| Story ID: | 56538 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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