Only a few were brave enough to make the early morning start time for the Jingle Bell Jog on Dec. 15 at Fort Stewart. But for those who participated in the 3.5-mile run, it was an opportunity to honor loved ones currently deployed to Iraq.
Part of the Walk to Iraq campaign, an initiative created to mirror the 13,000 miles deployed troops travel from Coastal Georgia to Baghdad and back, about 20 walkers and runners came out for the holiday-themed event.
The miles completed by each participant will be added to Fort Stewart’s total mileage for the campaign, which is well over the 13,000 miles organizers hoped to reach after just a few events, thanks to support from family members left back home.
“At this point, we have over 70,000 miles,” 3rd Infantry Division Deputy Rear Detachment Commander Lt. Col. Ellen Birch said, adding many families have found the event to be a bonding experience. “We achieved our goal a long time ago, but we just want to keep the connection going throughout the deployment, so we’re just going to get as many miles as we can now.”
Part of the Walk to Iraq campaign, an initiative created to mirror the 13,000 miles deployed troops travel from Coastal Georgia to Baghdad and back, about 20 walkers and runners came out for the holiday-themed event.
The miles completed by each participant will be added to Fort Stewart’s total mileage for the campaign, which is well over the 13,000 miles organizers hoped to reach after just a few events, thanks to support from family members left back home.
“At this point, we have over 70,000 miles,” 3rd Infantry Division Deputy Rear Detachment Commander Lt. Col. Ellen Birch said, adding many families have found the event to be a bonding experience. “We achieved our goal a long time ago, but we just want to keep the connection going throughout the deployment, so we’re just going to get as many miles as we can now.”