September 11, 2001: A run to Remember

  • Published
  • By Cadet Capt. Tad Rowinski
  • Arnold Air Society
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Air Force Cadets from the University of Alaska, Anchorage led a 24-hour run Sept. 12-13 in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor the U.S. Armed Forces fighting the Global War on Terrorism.

Sept. 11 was a day that will forever live in the hearts of every American. It rattled the souls of every person around the nation as they watched the World Trade Center towers fall. The aftermath was no different. The media covered images of terrified people covered in white dust franticly digging through the rummage of the disaster in search of survivors. In the end, 2,974 people lost their lives.

The members of the Lieutenant General Davis J. McCloud Squadron of Arnold Air Society are among the many who will never forget. AAS is a professional, honorary, service organization within Air Force ROTC which focuses on serving the community. The AAS is based out of AFROTC Detachment 001 at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

AAS had designed the run to last 24-consecutive hours starting at 7 p.m. Sept. 12-13. Nearly 100 shifts of two Air Force ROTC cadets, Elmendorf Airmen and Soldiers from Fort Richardson's 425th Medical Battalion ran together while carrying the American flag around Elmendorf in memory of those who lost their lives that day. Each shift was planned for a 30-minute light jog. The objective was to keep the American flag moving forward at all times.

To achieve this, the flag was to be passed off to 2 new runners in a 'torch run' fashion as they follow a controlled, preplanned course. By volunteering for this event, the runners exhibited a real sense of drive and sacrifice to those who have sacrificed the ultimate, their lives.

"I was struck by the symbolism of constant motion," said Col. Richard Walberg, 3rd Wing vice commander. "The cadets put the flag in motion and it never stopped moving. That experience replicates American life after the attacks. From a static moment in time - 9:37 a.m. EDT Sept. 11, 2001 - life and society have moved forward, just as the flag carried by the cadets."

The Sept. 11 remembrance event was the biggest project AAS Det. 001 had ever taken on. The "9/11 Memorial Run" was a tribute to all the people who had lost their lives during the attacks, and the detachment intends to continue this tribute on every anniversary of those attacks.

"I was in the Pentagon when the terrorists flew the plane into the building," said Colonel Walberg. "All of the sadness and tragedy involved on that day drove me to push myself and the cadets running with me. As I told one of them when he began to slow down: 'You are in the Air Force, get with it; you will not falter and you will not fail'."

The goal of AAS and Det. 001 was to show the community and campus that 9/11 changed the lives of every American. Like others around the world who witnessed the horror of that day, Det. 001 will never forget those who lost their lives and continue to show support to the families and friends who have lost so much.

"I am very impressed. The cadets really showed initiative," added Colonel Walberg. "My hope is that this event begins to take on a life of its own and grows in the years to come. It was a great tribute modestly done by young Americans looking forward toward the day when they trade in their cadet status and step up onto the ramparts and continue to take the fight to the people who would destroy our nation's lifestyle."

AAS has upheld the three Air Force core values: "Service Before Self," leading projects such as the "9/11 Memorial Run" with no mental reserve; "Integrity First," never faltering in supporting and helping the community; and "Excellence in All We Do," by leading and organizing events which are visible by the entire community.

Arnold Air Society and Det. 001 continues to serve the campus, the community, and all who need us.