Photo By Pvt. Deangelo Wells | Sgt. Gregory Jackson, of St. Louis, assigned to Psychological Operations, 3rd AAB, 4th...... read more read more
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NASAYRA, Iraq – Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division competed in the Sept. 11 Memorial walk-run-wheelchair push 10k at Adder.
The remembrance run was hosted by 28th Combat Support Hospital, and was open to service members and Department of Defense contractors.
“This run is to tell Soldiers and people ‘don’t forget what happened and why we are here’,” said Capt. Chris McKenzie, health practitioner, 28th CSH. “This run is meant to be fun and for people to meet other units.”
Due to the Sept. 11 attacks, men and women have died in the war against terrorism. This run is a way to pay tribute and honor them as well as those killed in the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
The 28th CSH, along with Soldiers from 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., and other battalions, made up approximately 650 competitors. Soldiers who walked, some carrying a ruck sack, started at 5:15 a.m., while the Soldiers who ran started at 5:30 a.m.
“There are a lot of runners out at the starting line,” said McKenzie. “I think everything worked well and all of the planning has been great. Plus it is a remembrance marathon today so it’s a good day for a run.”
The route stretched throughout the northern part of Adder. Roads were sanctioned off to block traffic and guide competitors. The 10k or 6.2 mile run lasted approximately an hour and a half. When the race was over, the runners received complimentary t-shirts amongst other donated items from sponsoring companies.
According to McKenzie, more than 400 companies volunteered to donate items. Things such as t-shirts, signed footballs from professional teams, posters, banners, along with many other items were turned in. The items held an estimated value of approximately $16,000.
Sgt. Gregory Jackson, assigned to Psychological Operations, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., of St. Louis, Miss., finished in first place with a time of 39 minutes, 47 seconds. Jackson was not done with his day once the run was finished. An hour after he won the marathon, Jackson signed his reenlistment contract to remain in the Army for another six years. To his surprise, Gen. Randal Dragon, deputy commanding general 1st Infantry Division, was the one to recite the oath of enlistment and congratulate him on his reenlistment. Jackson also received the general’s division coin for his decision along with a military bag full of reenlistment items.
“I first enlisted into the Army because of the attacks on Sept. 11,” said Jackson. “I usually run a lot of marathons, but on this run I dug a little deeper. There is no better feeling than to reenlist into the Army for another six years and win a marathon on the same day that made me enlist years ago.”
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2010 05:32 |
| Story ID: | 56767 |
| Location: | NASAYRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, COB Adder runs to never forget, by PV2 Deangelo Wells, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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