Greene County News
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Some 1,500 people honored those who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001, by coming together for the annual Run for the Fallen Sept. 9.
The free 9/11 memorial event, in its third year, was held in Area B and began with 88th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Bradley McDonald relaying the events that led to the World Trade Center being struck at the correlating time of the occurrence. McDonald then provided opening remarks followed by a moment of silence.
“I am fortunate to host today’s event,” said McDonald. “This event gets us to focus on those who have served before us and gives us resolve to continue to move forward in what we do on a daily basis. I have had a chance to interact with some of the participants and listened to some of the reasons to why they were here today. I thank everyone for being here and most importantly for what they are doing in terms of remembering those who were lost.”
Participants included military, civilians, contractors, retirees and family members. The event was designated as an approved alternate duty location to allow personnel to attend as part of their normal duty day with no charge to leave.
Run for the Fallen Coordinator Capt. Kenneth Kirk is pleased with the growing number of participants.
“The first Run for the Fallen was an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center event and we decided to open the event to the entire installation last year and it has made the event such a tremendous success,” Kirk said.
Although he did not personally know anyone who had lost their life on 9/11, Kirk can certainly recollect the tragic event.
“I remember sitting in a computer lab while attending Purdue University listening to the event unfold,” Kirk said. “It was my mother’s first day of work in New York City and I was unable to reach either of my parents until several hours afterward to know that they were safe.”
The run began at 8:46 and 30 seconds, the moment that American Airlines Flight 11 had struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Runners and walkers had the option to take part in either a two or four-mile course.
