News

8th Ruck March honors vets

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James Wilkinson
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Security Forces Squadron sponsored their 8th Annual Ruck March Saturday at the Air Mobility Command Museum to commemorate the Korean War's Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

Teams of four rallied at the museum in their battle dress uniforms at 9 a.m., hoisted 30-pound backpacks on, and trekked a distance of 10 kilometers - the equivalent of 6.2 miles - in temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill that made it feel more like 24 degrees.

With a time of 57 minutes, 53 seconds, the 436th Security Forces Squadron Team 11 crossed the finish line. The winning team members were: Senior Airmen Josh Hartzell, Dustin McPhillips, and Brett Williamson and Staff Sgt. Joseph Sedia, all members of the 436th SFS Ravens, a flyaway security forces team that protects aircraft and aircrews while airborne and on the ground.

"We went in with full intentions of winning and proving ourselves," said Airman Williamson. "We had a lot of great competition from all over and from other branches of services so it felt great to win, not only for the Air Force, but also for our Security Forces Squadron."

The four Airmen were the first security forces team ever to win the SFS-sponsored march in its eight-year history, winning the highly coveted traveling trophy, which resembles a Soldier. The Ravens team broke the march's standing record of 1 hour, 39 seconds. In fact, the first three finishing teams beat the previous record.

"The toughest part was fighting the mental part," said Airman Williamson. "There were many times when my mind wanted to give up, but I knew I had to fight through it and finish it for myself and my team."

In second place was Team 26 from the 436th Aeromedical-Dental Squadron with a time of 58 minutes, 54 seconds. In third was Team 46, a band of Marines from the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., finishing with 59 minutes, 09 seconds on the stopwatch.

But these times were not the only record broken. Participation in the road race nearly doubled from last year's.

"We had only 26 teams (participate) last year and 49 this year," said Tech. Sgt. Edward Strouse, 436th SFS NCO in charge of plans and responsible for all aspects of this year's Ruck March. "The most (participants) ever before this year was 40."

For one of the winners, breaking records was not his motivation.

"Records don't matter to me," said Airman Hartzell. "A win is a win. To keep the trophy out of the hands of the other military branches; that's the record my team wanted to break - and we did."

Teams were comprised of both Dover Airmen and guest visitors that just showed up for the race, including two teams of Marines from Washington, D.C., and a team of Texas A&M ROTC cadets. Chief Master Sgt. Albert McGowan, Air Force Pentagon first sergeant, also participated in the march.

Retired Master Sgt. Jim Schafer, Delaware Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 3, also came with many of his fellow veterans to represent those who fought during the Korean War. Mr. Schafer served 14 months in Korea from March of 1953 to May of 1954 and fought as an assistant squad leader during the Battle of Pork Chop Hill during the spring and summer of 1953. He later enlisted in the Air Force as a C-5 flight engineer and had a friend who fought and died at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

"The Ruck March represents that everybody hasn't forgot us, and it makes the public more aware," said Mr. Schafer. "I thank each and every one (who marched) for bringing it out to the public. I think what the rucksackers are doing here at Dover is one way of saying thank you."

Eight years ago, the late Lt. Col. Gregory Ditzler was the first person to suggest the march, according to Sergeant Strouse. He had participated in the Baton Death March at Nellis AFB and thought one at Dover would be a great idea. After the success of the first march, the squadron decided to make it an annual event.

Since then, Airmen have found a unique way of remembering those who fought for Americans in the past.

"I'm a competitor and am always looking for ways to challenge myself," said Airman Hartzell. "To honor those who have served before me is a great honor."