LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Lackland's annual Sept. 11 memorial run allows Airmen to come together in military service as they honor the day's fallen Americans.
The memorial ceremony and run is scheduled for 5:30 a.m., Sept. 8 at the basic military training parade grounds.
As president of the Lackland First Sergeants' Council, and first sergeant to both the 802nd Force Support Squadron and the 802nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Senior Master Sgt. Keith Baber is charged with getting the word out on base.
"The whole idea of the run is to show support," Sergeant Baber said. "A formation run helps build espirit de corps and a cohesiveness among not only your unit and wing, but the entire base."
A memorial ceremony, including the raising and lowering of the flag in concordance with Reveille and Taps, comments from 502nd Air Base Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Leonard Patrick, a moment of silence, a prayer reading by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Shon Neyland and recitation of the Airmen's Creed, precedes the formation run.
Sergeant Baber expects more than 1,000 people to participate and added, "the more participants, the better."
Following the ceremony, Airmen in unit and group formations commence a roughly two-mile loop down Truemper Street onto the training side of base, crossing at the troop walk before returning to the parade grounds.
A participant in previous years, Sergeant Baber said the Sept. 11 run is a cathartic experience as the somber mood of the ceremony turns into a high-energy run.
"I'm sad for the people who paid the ultimate price," he said. "It's amazing the transformation. All of a sudden you're fired up, ready to go, because you're proud to be an American.
The next thing you know your commander is in front of you, your first sergeant and your squadron members, all running as one team."
The first sergeant encourages Airmen to arrive in their PT uniform and to hydrate to ensure a successful run.
The formation run is open to military only, while anyone with base access can attend the memorial ceremony.
Parking for the run is available at the parade field, 37th TRW headquarters, the Gateway Club and Mitchell Hall.
For more information about the run, call Sergeant Baber at 671-3909.