Photo By Staff Sgt. Victor Joecks | Soldiers with the 17th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), pose...... read more read more
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — As a Soldier played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes, over 200 Soldiers gathered to participate in a “Remembrance Run” on September 6, 2016.
“We’re here today, because of the three Nevada Army National Guardsmen who were killed in a tragic shooting at the IHOP in Carson City, Nevada,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James Richardson, the senior enlisted advisor to the 17th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), as he addressed the runners before the 5K began.
On September 6, 2011, Nevada Guardsmen Lt. Col. Heath Kelly, 35, Master Sgt. Christian Riege, 38, and Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, 31, passed away in the shooting. Florence Donovan-Gunderson, 67, also died in the incident. The three Soldiers worked at the Office of the Adjutant General in Carson City.
For the last five years, the Nevada Army National Guard has hosted its “Remembrance Run” in Carson City on the anniversary of the shooting. This year, the 17th SB decided to host a “shadow run” in Camp Arifjan to compliment the event organized in Carson City.
“We’re just remembering the three individuals and how they really did a good job for the Nevada National Guard,” said Chief Warrant 3 Edward Holler, a contracting officer representative for postal services with 17th SB. “We’re taking time to remember that life is precious. You have to be appreciative of it.”
Holler noted that several of the runners had been in Carson City five years ago when the shooting occurred.
“I deployed with Master Sgt. Riege in 2009, and I worked with both Lt. Col. Kelly and Sgt. 1st Class McElhiney,” said Richardson. “They were special people, and they are missed by us and this organization every day. We have not forgotten their service.”
Although the event commemorated fallen guardsmen, Soldiers throughout Camp Arifjan — including from active duty and reserve components — also participated.
“For external units to show up, it symbolizes what the meaning of being a Soldier is all about,” said Maj. Joseph Claros, a support operations project officer with 17th SB.
Over 240 Soldiers with the 17th SB are currently deployed throughout Southwest Asia to oversee logistical operations.
| Date Taken: | 09.06.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.06.2016 11:13 |
| Story ID: | 208893 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 397 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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