Misawa service members raise money for families of helo crash victims

Photo By Matthew Bradley | Chief Petty Officer Bill Reed, naval aircrewman (mechanical) assigned to Commander Task Force 72, carries the Misawa Chief Petty Officer Association guide on during a 24-hour run here. Navy commands from around Misawa joined together to raise more than $6,000 for the families of the special operations forces who died in the Aug. 6, 2011 helicopter crash in Afghanistan.  

MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JAPAN

10.01.2011

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Bradley  

Naval Air Facility Misawa

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – More than 200 Misawa service members participated in a 24-hour run, Oct. 1, 2011, to help raise money for the families of fallen special operations forces.

More than 200 volunteers participated in the run at the Edgren High School track here, and raised more than $6,000 for the Naval Special Warfare Foundation. These funds will go to family members of the 30 service members who perished in the Aug. 6, 2011 helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

The run kicked off at midnight, Oct. 1, 2011, and ran continually for 24 hours. Many commands fielded teams of runners, which ran in hour increments, while others showed up throughout the day ready to log some miles after hearing about the event through word of mouth or social media.

Each runner donated $20 for their time on the track, while others who could not attend, made monetary donations to the event’s coordinators.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Rick Longoria, personnel specialist assigned to Personnel Support Detachment Misawa, organized a team of runners and remained at the track during the entire course of the event.

"I’m here to show my support, not only for our runners who are taking part in the event, but also for our lost comrades and their families, he said. "I know it’s not much, but it’s a small way we can show our support and devotion for the families whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Petty Officer 1st Class Michele Pineira, cryptologic technician (interpretive) who helped organize the Navy Information Operations Command Misawa First Class Petty Officer Association Team, volunteered to run for three hours.

"This is a very worthwhile cause," said Pineira. "I think it's very important to help out the families of service members who gave their all in support of their country."

Chief Petty Officer Vinoya, yeoman assigned to Naval Air Facility Misawa ran and walked the last six hours.

"I originally signed up for a two hour time slot, and then agreed to stay for an extra hour," said Vinoya. "After the third hour I decided that I wanted to see this run through to the end. Despite the rain and cold it felt good to be able to provide assistance to the families of the fallen."

The Naval Special Warfare Foundation was established to assist families and members of the United States Naval Special Warfare community in need.

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, visit https://www.cnic.navy.mil/misawa/index.htm or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2011
• Date Posted: 10.03.2011 04:51
• Story ID: 77914
• Location: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP