UAA ROTC programs pay tribute to 9/11

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Approximately 55 members from the University of Anchorage Alaska Air Force and Army ROTC held a 24-hour flag-run marathon here Sept. 11 in honor of 9/11. 

Participants started running at 8:46 a.m., the time which the first World Trade Center was struck. Runners ran in groups of two-to-three in half-hour shifts while holding the American flag. Starting at the Kashim Club, runners ran down Fighter Drive then circled around Heritage Park back onto Arctic Warrior Drive and then looped back around onto Fighter Drive. After the groups ran their half-hour shift a vehicle came to pick them up while replacing them with other participants who then continued to run the same course. 

"The main purpose is to keep the flag in circulation so it doesn't stop once in the 24 hours," said Cody Vandergriff, event coordinator with the UAA Air Force ROTC. "We want to honor all the lives lost during 9/11." 

About 10 of the nearly 55 participants were from UAA's Army ROTC. This is the first year for the Army ROTC organization at UAA. "We're a new program, trying to do joint activities with the Air Force," said Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Carter, participant from the UAA Army ROTC. "We're just excited to be here." 

Aside from the running, a memorial ceremony was held at noon inside Hangar 5. During the ceremony, the flag passed through, while about 75 cadets stood at attention and saluted. 

With this being the second year for the event, Vandergriff said there are plans to continue with it next year.