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TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- While many worked, on Friday Sept. 23, a group of 50 Airmen, enlisted and officers from Travis Air Force Base, California laced up their running shoes.
The Airmen were on a mission- to place one flag for every fallen service member from the state of California post Sept. 11, 2001. The Airmen were participating in the California Run for the Fallen, a three-day event culminating in a memorial ceremony at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California.
The California Run for the Fallen is an organization of runners and support crew whose mission is to raise awareness for the lives of California service members who have fallen after the September 11, 2001 attacks, including casualties of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Inherent Resolve.
The organization puts on the run to rejuvenate their memories and keep their spirits alive, while also supporting organizations that aid California Gold Star Families and aiding in the healing process for those families whose lives have been affected by combatant or non-combatant situations.
Senior Master Sgt. Michael Klebes, from the 60th Maintenance Group served as a liaison between the organization and Travis Airmen. Klebes has been involved in the program for many years.
“The first time I participated was in 2013,” said Klebes. “I ran a 6-mile leg and was motivated to be a part of it in a larger way. I liked what CA Run for the Fallen stood for and how it honored the fallen service members since 9/11."
Over the weekend, the team of runners read the biographies of 756 service members, before placing and saluting each flag.
The motto for the run was “Every mile a memory,” said Klebes.
What stands out most for Klebes is meeting family members of fallen service members.
“I have had the opportunity to meet some of the fallen service members families--we inform them ahead of time that we will be honoring their loved one at a specific mile marker," said Klebes.“ "The families are extremely grateful for what we do and have said numerous times that they come out year after year just to be able to hear their loved one's name read aloud.”
Klebes is proud to participate in the California Run for the Fallen.
"Though the loss is painful; it goes a long way in the healing process knowing that their loved one is not forgotten," said Klebes. "So for me, I'm doing my part to preserve their memory."
1st Lt. Austin McCall, 60th Engineering Squadron, ran seven miles, placing and saluting seven flags during the event.
Honor and Sacrifice are two parts of the run that stood out to McCall.
“One of my favorite Bible verses is John 15:13,” said McCall. “It says ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ God has blessed me with athletic ability, so I saw this as an opportunity to use that gift to honor the sacrifice these service-members made for us.”
McCall echoed Klebes sentiments, sharing how impactful it was to meet family members.
“To look in that mothers eyes after we read his biography and planted his flag is something you can’t forget.” |