Miles of Honor: Base fitness center scheduled to host Run for the Fallen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing/Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Grand Forks Air Force Base Fitness Center is scheduled to host a Run for the Fallen from Aug. 17-19.

"I think participating in the run is a great way for people to honor those who have paid the ultimate price for defending our nation," said Tech. Sgt. Breezy Pruitt, fitness center NCO in-charge.

This year's Run for the Fallen will mark the second time the fitness center has participated in the nationwide event, which first began on Flag Day, June 14, 2008, when a team of runners ran from Fort Irwin, Calif., to Arlington National Cemetery.  It took 10 weeks for the team to complete the nearly 2,600 miles across the country.

The first Run for the Fallen team ran each mile in honor of the warriors killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They marked each mile with an American flag and signcard in an apolitical reflection of remembrance. That act of remembrance now includes those service members who have been killed in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Grand Forks AFB will hold a group event, Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Participants will meet at the starting line of the 5K trail across the street from the fitness center. Those who can't attend can still log their miles at the fitness center for any time they decide to run Aug. 18 and 19.

Pruitt said the event is open to anyone who has access to the base and there are no age restrictions. Those without base access who wish to participate in the group run Aug. 17 may be sponsored onto the installation by a Department of Defense ID card holder. Officials at 319th Security Forces Squadron remind all base personnel and residents that military escorts may only sponsor up to 10 visitors at a time.

Pruitt said the number of miles accumulated during the three days is then calculated by the staff at the fitness center. The total number of miles from Grand Forks AFB participants will then be added to the national total.

"We had 107 people complete a total of 353.8 miles during the last run," said Pruitt. "We hope this year's event will draw participants and result in more miles. Those of us who work at the fitness center tell our guests that running is a great way for a person to improve their health. However, this run won't just be about health; it will also be about honor!"

For more information about the event visit the Grand Forks AFB Fitness Center or call (701) 747-4447. Individuals interested in knowing about the event can also visit the Run for the Fallen official website at www.runforthefallen.org for more details. (You are being directed to a nongovernment website that may have different privacy policies from those of http://www.grandforks.af.mil. Information from the Run for the Fallen website was used in this article.)