By Lt. Col. Miki Kristina Gilloon
Special Operations Command South Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. - To commemorate the 14th anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, more than 80 service members assigned to Special Operations Command honored the memory of the tragic event with a 140-mile relay run Sept. 10-11.
Chaplain (Capt.) Jaffet Duquela, SOCSOUTH chaplain, who ran 10 miles, said that it was an honor to be a part of the run.
“It means so much to come together with the same heart and share the passion to remember the fallen,” he said. “Everyone gave it all they had for this purpose.
SOCSOUTH members began their race at the Southernmost Point Buoy attraction in Key West, which concluded at Homestead Air Reserve Base at a time of 20 hours and 45 minutes. Four relay teams kicked off the race at 4 p.m. Sept. 10, running through the night and into the next day while donning blue shirts with the theme, “Honor the Fallen By Challenging the Living.”
A small tribute followed the race in which the fallen were recognized by Homestead’s mayor and SOCSOUTH leadership.
“This is a time of remembrance,” said Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, SOCSOUTH commander, as he commemorated the lives lost and sacrificed. “Our job in this theater is to protect the homeland—thank you for everything you do for your nation and fellow citizens.”
Mayor Jeff Porter also thanked SOCSOUTH.
“Thank you for what you do for this country,” he said. “I’m proud you have folded into our community and have become a cornerstone for the support you provide to us.”
The annual remembrance relay event began in 2006.