Scott AFB members hold Veterans Day Vigil Run

Published Nov. 9, 2010
By Ms. Bekah Clark
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Nearly 400 Team Scott members came together Nov. 5 and 6 for the inaugural Air Force Sergeants Association Veterans Day Vigil Run at the James Gym track at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

The 24-hour relay style run kicked off with a brief memorial ceremony in honor of Tech. Sgt. Anthony Campbell, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, who died of wounds sustained from the detonation of an improvised explosive device in December 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Campbell was assigned to the 932nd Civil Engineer Squadron at Scott.

The memorial ceremony was officiated by Sergeant Campbell's former commander, Col. William Edwards, the 932nd Airlift Wing commander.

Coinciding with the conclusion of the memorial ceremony was the sounding of retreat and the lighting of the vigil candle marking the beginning of the run. AFSA members made up the first and last groups in a series of runners who bore the American Flag while running around the track through the night and into the next evening.

The candle remained alight for 24 hours through 5 p.m. Nov. 6 in honor of veterans past and present.

Col. Terry Ward, 375th Operations Group commander brought the event to a close.

The idea for this event came about in 2006 when then Capt. Ryan Hoback, then the Scott AFB Area Defense Counsel put together a similar event. Master Sgt. Jill Robbins, Superintendent, 375th Air Mobility Wing Legal Office continued the event the next year, but it wasn't until this year that the local chapter of the Air Force Sergeants Associated took ownership of the idea.

"I've always felt that this event needed to 'belong' to an organization that would take it forward and ensure that it gets the attention and planning it deserves," said Sergeant Robbins. "I've been an active part of the AFSA chapter since I've been at Scott, and it was a perfect fit for this event - our AFSA chapter has really embraced this project."

Hour-long timeslots were sponsored by organizations, both military and private to keep the run going strong for a full 24 hours. Individuals were also able to sign up for timeslots. The event was open to all personnel with access to Scott with no AFSA membership required.

In addition to the runners, nearly 20 volunteers teamed to work three-hour shifts throughout the event to check in runners and ensure the safety of all participants.
Organizations represented include U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command Command Section, AMC Manpower and Personnel directorate, AMC Communications directorate, AMC Installations and Missions Support directorate, AMC Public Affairs, 375th Operations Group, 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 375th Comptroller Squadron, 375th Judge Advocate's Office, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 375th Security Forces Squadron, 375th Communications Squadron, 375th Communications Support Squadron, 375th Medical Group, 375th Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight, 932nd Airlift Wing, Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency-CONUS, 15th Operational Weather Squadron, 435th and 437th Supply Chain Operations Squadrons, 3rd Manpower Requirements Squadron, Base Honor Guard, Scott Top 3, First Term Airman's Center, Scott NCO Council, Scott First Four, Scott First Sergeant's Group, and the Scott Dorm Council.

In addition, many AFSA members participated as individuals. Members of the Team Scott EOD community, 932nd CES and 375th CES were also represented during the entire 24 hours.

Check out www.scott.af.mil and AFSA 872 on Facebook for pictures.