Washington, District of Columbia- Soldiers from the U.S. Army Reserve Element European Command participated in the Army Ten Miler October 7 as part of Team Military Friends Foundation.
Military Friends Foundation, established after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, provide programs, events, and support to those who serve and their families.
“I ran for Capt. Benjamin Sklaver,” Army Maj. Nathan Cote said. He and Sklaver attended civil affairs training together. Sklaver was killed in southeastern Afghanistan October 2, 2009 when his civil affairs unit was ambushed by a suicide attacker. “He was a great guy. He gave me some good mentorship.”
More information about Military Friends can be found at https://www.militaryfriends.org/.
Runners who joined Team Military Friends carried the name of a fallen service member on their shirt. Army Maj. Terry Flanagan, running in his third Army Ten Miler, honored Army Sgt. Steven DeLuzio killed August 22, 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Flanagan and DeLuzio were classmates at Glastonbury High School in Connecticut.
In remembrance of fellow North Shore resident, Army Spc. Antonio Syrakos of Lynn, Mass., Army Lt. Col. Lichelle Aldana ran the Army Ten Miler for the decorated veteran who died January 10, 2013.
The Army Ten Miler is in its 34th year and attracts over 35,000 runners and 900 teams from around the world. Participants included service members, veterans, wounded warriors, and wheelchair athletes. The mission of the race is to support Army outreach, build morale, and promote physical fitness.
Army Lt. Col. Axel Ruiz-Torres, a member of the Army Reserve Element European Command in Devens, Massachusetts ran his seventh Army Ten Miler as part of Team Military Friends Foundation. “You become resilient and committed when you train for events like this,” said Ruiz-Torres.