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Remembering Chosin: Airmen, Marines race to Ruck's finish line

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The scene was a mix of remembrance, emotion and motivation, Feb. 2, as four-member teams of Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and civilians hoisted 30-pound backpacks and set off from the start line on a 6.2-mile march.

The march marked the 9th time the 436th Security Forces Squadron has held the event, which commemorates Veterans of the fierce Korean War battle that occurred in 1950 at Chosin Reservoir.

From the scene at the starting line, it appeared any team could win the march. As the miles passed, it became evident two teams, one of wingmen from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, and the other made up of "8th and I" Marines from Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., would struggle for the first-place victory.

"The last mile of the march, there were many teams trailing on our heels. I was concerned about all the teams, but the presence of the Marines kept us fired up," said Master Sgt. Sam Louie, 436th APS and leader the winning team, who finished the march in 1 hour and 59 seconds. "Those guys were motivated and first-rate Marines -- I've got a ton of respect for them. Still, my team was well trained and when the rubber met the road, we dug in and pushed as hard as we could and finished about 4 minutes ahead of the second-place team."

Though he admitted a healthy bit of service rivalry was present toward the end, something bigger and more profound inspired Sergeant Louie throughout, he said.

"Marching in remembrance of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir motivated me," he said. "Back then, (at Chosin), the temperature was sub-zero, the terrain was unmarked and unfamiliar, and they marched under enemy fire. They moved because their life and the lives of their 'wingmen' were on the line."

While the Dover march was under far less austere conditions, Sergeant Louie had his own reason to act as if it were the same.

"As a senior NCO, I wanted to keep moving swiftly and lead without showing signs of fatigue," he said. "In combat, Airmen cannot afford to see weariness or weakness in their leaders."

Like Sergeant Louie's team, the Marines were also marching for those fallen at Chosin, and said they felt the service rivalry as well. Also, like Sergeant Louie's team, they had another reason for coming. They were sponsored by Joan M. Cote, USO Delaware director, whose mother and father were both Marines and served in the Korean War.

"These wonderful Marines carried Dad's 'eagle, globe and anchor,' and a pair of rosaries that Mom gave me many years ago," said Ms. Cote. "I feel my parents were watching over the young Marines that day and helped propel them to the finish line."

Ms. Cote said she was proud of all the servicemembers.

"In my business, there are no shades of green or blue, there is only an appreciation for all servicemembers and loyalty to all uniformed servicemembers," she said.

Still, she admitted her two sponsored teams of Marines had a special place in her heart as they carried memories of her parents throughout the march, she said.

"It was a huge privilege to have them honor my parents," said Ms. Cote, who also had many family members come from Massachusetts and New Hampshire to root on the Marine teams.

The second-place team of Marine runners were: Lance Cpl. Mike Labonde, Lance Cpl. Stewart Wadsworth, Pfc. Devin Cloud and Pfc. Logan Fromm. Their finishing time was 1:04:58.

The winning 436th APS team runners were: Sergeant Louie, Senior Airman Mark Wolfgang, Airman 1st Class Curtis Carnes and Airman 1st Class Daniel Bryant.

"When you are running for fallen heroes, those who can't be with us but are in heaven watching, not completing the march is not an option," said Sergeant Louie, who said he was happy to hear both his team and the '8th and I' Marines were marching for something greater than themselves. "It doesn't matter what uniform you wear or to what service secretary you report to, when we join together in a march like this or on the field of battle, we unite - it's like a second burst of energy. I want to thank the Marines for what they do and let them know they have my full respect. I also want to thank my team for being strong wingmen."