FORT BLISS, Texas - A small group of soldiers and civilians from the local area participated in a 3.4-mile run April 18 to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
The run was immediately planned and scheduled by Team Red White and Blue shortly after news of the Boston Marathon bombing and held in the downtown El Paso area near the University of Texas campus.
Team RWB, a national nonprofit aimed at helping service members transition to civilian life through physical activity, consisting of active duty, retired and people from the local communities that enjoy interaction through physical and social activities and events all across the country.
“We just recently resurrected the area chapter in El Paso, and wanted get out here and show our support for the victims family members of the bombing,” said Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Eric Ranken, chapter president of the El Paso chapter of Team Red White and Blue, organizer of the event and superintendent at the 7th Air Support Operation Squadron at Fort Bliss. “The big thing with team RWB is the idea to get active duty veterans and wounded warriors to pull together in events like these, and get them involved with the community.”
Ranken helped launch the Fort Bliss chapter of Team RWB recently. The national group focuses on helping veterans acclimate to civilian life through physical activity and sports.
We are just one of around 60 Team Red White and Blue chapters that ran in support of the victims of the bombing, said Ranken.
“This run was to show our support to the victims of the bombings in Boston,” said 1st Lt. Seth Smith, a fire support officer with 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment "Blackhawks." “It was also the first activity for the newly-started Team RWB in El Paso, and a good way to get involved with the community.”
Team RWB received national attention Monday as video of a team member running the race took the shirt with the Team RWB logo off his back to help an injured man after the explosion. Seventeen people were running the marathon as part of Team RWB.
Team RWB chapters and communities deliver local opportunities for veterans and the community to connect through physical and social activity by hosting weekly fitness activities, monthly social events, and participate in local races and events together.
For more information go to http://www.teamrwb.org.