KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan chapter of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club sponsored a 5K run/walk at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on Friday, October 19.
Headquartered by Fort Knox’s 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), the JSC-A S.A.M.C. raised nearly $10,000 to be donated to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a not-for-profit organization that provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, casework assistance, and connections to community-based care for those grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America.
To date, TAPS has assisted more than 35,000 surviving family members, casualty officers and caregivers. Nearly 600 runners participated in the event and showed support to the cause.
“As members of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, we’re a non-profit organization that always seeks to help other organizations,” said Sgt. Anthony Mccaskill, a construction equipment repairer with the 45th Sustainment Brigade and vice-president of the JSC-A chapter of the S.A.M.C. “It starts with us selecting a charity and goes from there. This time, the charity we selected is TAPS.”
According to Mccaskill, the S.AM.C. sold anywhere from 800-900 t-shirts for the 5K. Within 4-days, he said they were sold out, as many were purchased just in support of TAPS.
Mccaskill said that the success of the event could be credited to the JSC-A’s S.A.M.C. members and prospective candidates, who were involved in both the planning and execution process.
“I feel that the 5K was very well received, as evident by the support we got,” said Mccaskill. “It makes you proud because not only do you get support from members of the club, but also from soldiers who’re inspired by the leaders and want to be a part of it.”
Since organizing at Kandahar Airfield, the JSC-A has sponsored many events in support of other organizations. But regardless of the event, many members and participants were proud to just be part of a good cause.
“Since our deployment began, I’ve been a big supporter of events like this, which are for a worthy cause,” said Delveto Johns, an automated logistical specialist with the 3d ESC and JSC-A who participated in the 5K. “I’m always proud to participate in events that are bigger than myself, and which seek to help others.”
The Sgt. Audie Murphy Club is a private U.S. Army organization for enlisted noncommissioned officers only. Members must... "...exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers and concern for families of soldiers."