Throughout the year, America has celebrated its 250th birthday with countless special events and ceremonies. It’s for this reason Sailors assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group New England participated in the Independence Day 5K Run at Hanscom Air Fodrce Base.
“We try to offer a 5K or some fitness activity monthly, and we do a good job of that here,” said Paul Shoesmith, Hanscom Fitness and Sports Center Director.
As race participants gathered at the start line, Shoesmith discussed the importance of the run.
“We are celebrating the 250th year of our country,” said Shoesmith. “All of our t- shirts this year have logos or flags associated with that so we can represent and honor our country, and the good men and women who protect it.”
NTAG New England Sailors exhibited motivation and camaraderie while participating in the race. They supported one another as they each crossed the finish line. Logistics Specialist (Submarine) 2nd Class Sydney Leverett, an assistant command fitness leader assigned to NTAG New England, turned in a first-place finish with a run time of 18 minutes and 5 seconds.
NAVADMIN 264/25 announced that the Navy will conduct two fitness assessment cycles per calendar year instead of one annually. Running in the Independence Day 5K was an opportunity for NTAG Sailors to promote physical fitness standards, stay prepared for two physical readiness tests (PRT), and demonstrate how staying active helps in the recruiting mission.
“To have our Secretary of War implement working out every day, I think it's necessary for us maintain physical standards and physical fitness so we can always be ready to fight,” said Leverett. “I think it's very important. I think for you to be the faces of the of the Navy, you should be in shape.”
Shoesmith exuberantly greeted runners at the finish line to announce their run times and hand them commemorative 4th of July 5K t-shirts.
“It's really good to see our Navy gold and blue out here representing themselves, but also representing our country, and working together with our Air Force group,” Shoesmith said.
NTAG New England is responsible for the U.S. Navy’s enlisted and officer recruiting, in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Eastern New York.
| Date Taken: |
07.22.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
07.23.2026 16:11 |
| Story ID: |
570617 |
| Location: |
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: |
18 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, NTAG New England celebrates America’s 250th with 5K, by CPO Benjamin Dobbs, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
