Big Easy 5K Run Aids Hurricane Victims

Defend America News ^ | Oct 21,2005 | Army Staff Sgt. Robert Timmons

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Big Easy 5K Run Aids Hurricane Victims The run raised more than $6,200 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Timmons 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq, Oct. 21, 2005 — While Iraqi citizens were helping themselves take a step forward to a representative government during the constitutional referendum, some U.S. soldiers were helping those struck hard by Hurricane Katrina by donating time and money to the Big Easy 5K run held here Oct. 16. "I like to run and it was a good cause." U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Laforest "It is important because it shows solidarity," said Damian Gonzalez, a member of the Forward Operating Base Speicher Fire Department and overall winner of the race. "We saw it after 9/11 when we as Americans came together." Gonzalez added that it was part of the relief and a way that those deployed to Iraq can help raise money. Along with Gonzalez, 500 people signed up for the run and another 200 donated money to the relief, said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Alisha Ramsey, the event founder and coordinator. The event raised more than $6,200 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. "This is way beyond the money," said Ramsey, a platoon leader with 578th Signal Company, 17th Signal Battalion based out of Darmstadt, Germany. "It is a symbol of who cared. It allowed everyone involved to release their stress and closed out their frustration." Even though soldiers were arriving and leaving Iraq, the race was planned to coincide with that transition to allow a maximum of participants. "Soldiers are starting to redeploy," the California native said, "and a lot of stuff is going on. I wanted to act fast so the sooner they could get the money, the better. A lot of new and old soldiers were able to take part in the race because of the timing." The race's served as way for soldiers to aid hurricane victims. Besides donating money online, it is difficult for deployed soldiers to help. Runners line up behind a Forward Operating Base Speicher fire truck seconds before the truck's siren wailed, signifying the start of the Big Easy 5k run to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. The run, held at Forward Operating Base Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2005, was designed to allow deployed soldiers and civilians the opportunity to provide relief to families affected by Hurricane Katrina. 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo

Runners sign a banner donated by the Army Air Force Exchange Services before the Big Easy 5k run at Forward Operating Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2005. The run raised over $6,000 which was donated to the American Red Cross. 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo "Donating money online didn't help make me feel like I was contributing," she said. "If I could get 500 people to participate, it would compound it 18-fold." The overall second place finisher behind Gonzalez said it was a worthwhile cause he was more than happy to support. "I like to run and it was a good cause," said U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Laforest, a laundry and textile specialist with 16th Quartermaster Company. "This was the best way I could help those affected by the hurricane," he said. Soldiers affected by the hurricane expressed appreciation. "Soldiers who told me their houses were flooded by 18 inches of water and their pets survived because they climbed on top of something have come up to me and said thank you," Ramsey said. The winners of the race were: Men's Division 1st Place –- Damian Gonzalez, 14:52, Speicher firefighter from Houston 2nd Place – Pfc. Michael Laforest, 14:55, 16th Quartermaster Company from Missoula, Mont. 3rd Place – Pfc. Timothy Bobakov, 15:25, 101st Aviation Brigade from Caluga, Russia Women's Division 1st Place – Spc. Jessica Reed, 17:20, 313th Medevac Company from Lincoln, Neb. 2nd Place – 1st Lt. Staci Hopkins, 18:42, 32nd Medlog from Fort Bragg, N.C. 3rd Place –- Maj. Cynthia Hargrove, 19:14, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Aviation Brigade

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5K FUN RUN PING From Iraq

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