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Pope reservists to join 9/11 Ruck March to Remember

  • Published
  • By Lisa Moore
  • 440th Airlift Wing
Pope Field, N.C. --  The 440th Airlift Wing Security Forces Squadron is joining forces with 14 other Air Force Security Forces Squadrons and participating in the 9/11 Ruck March to Remember.
 
In relay fashion, southern and eastern seaboard state Air Force Squadrons will march from Lackland AFB near San Antonio, Texas to Ground Zero, N.Y. in time for the 10th anniversary ceremony on September 11. The event has been coordinated to pay homage to Air Forces Defenders and servicemembers that have lost their lives since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Set to begin July 12, the 15 participating units will take turns walking a 2,181 mile course . Each unit will contribute approximately 140 miles. The 440th Airlift Wing leg is 148 miles and will begin August 17 in Elgin, S.C. Members of the 440th team will each walk a portion of the leg until the last member reaches Greensboro, N.C. August 21 to hand-off a baton and the challenge to the Seymour-Johnson AFB team.

All Air Force and Army active duty, reservists, civilians and family members stationed at Pope Field and Fort Bragg are invited to become a marching member of Team-Pope or participate as a volunteer. 

"We are the only Reserve Unit/Wing that is participating," Master Sgt. Aurora L. Broughman of 440th Security Forces. Sergeant Broughman is the event coordinator for the 440th Security Forces Squadron. "We are calling on other units and volunteers to help us achieve our goal."

The miles, which have been paced at 20 minutes each, will be marched during daylight hours only. For safety, there will be a law enforcement escort and a trail vehicle with medical personnel, a relief team, food and water at all times.

For Air Force members participating, the dress code will be the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) with the Security Forces beret or soft cap and a rucksack or backpack of a personally determined weight.

"This ruck march is a tremendous effort and for a great cause," said Col. Kerri Grimes, 440th Airlift Wing Mission Support Group Commander. "There are many that look for a way to commemorate 9/11. This is a perfect opportunity. It does not have to be just 440th Airlift Wing members participating, this is an opportunity for the Pope Field-Fort Bragg community to come together."

Other bases with squadrons participating are Lackland, Barksdale, Columbus, Eglin, Moody, Robins, Keesler, Tyndall, Langley, Andrews, Dover and McGuire/Ft. Dix.

The final leg of the march will be completed by a joint installation Security Forces team.

To become a part of Team Pope or to volunteer, contact event coordinator Master Sgt. Aurora Broughman on 910-394-1034.