Memorial miles: Langley Airmen run for the fallen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Austin Harvill
  • 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  A group of service members and supporters stand quietly around a tiny American flag. A voice breaks the silence, speaking the name of the fallen troop they all came out to honor.

Afterward, the group members salute the flag, wipe sweat from their brows and continue running along the noisy highway.

Service members and civilians from the Hampton Roads community participated in the Virginia "Run for the Fallen," a 230-mile run from Fort Story, Va., to Arlington National Cemetery. At each mile marker, runners placed a flag, paying homage to fallen service members from Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Those remembered during this run hailed from local communities around their respective "hero markers." To ensure every service member was honored between Hampton and Yorktown, Va., Langley Air Force Base Airmen split into groups, each running a three-mile leg of the 15-mile stretch.

Master Sgt. Ed Dierkens, Air Combat Command logistics programs and integration superintendent, explained the impact the run had on him.

"I have 25 marathon medals, but this run means so much more than any accolade I'll ever receive." said Dierkens.

Dierkens jogged on the highway beyond his three-mile promise. Many service members followed suit, hoping to interact with family members stationed at the markers.

"Seeing the families and showing appreciation for their sacrifices makes the run meaningful," Dierkens said. "Being able to see them and honor their fallen service member... it is pretty amazing."

For Emily Prasnicki, the widow of Army 1st Lt. Chase Prasnicki, having other military members take time to pay respect to her husband meant more than she could put into words.

"Thank you all so much for coming out here today," said Prasnicki, blinking back tears. "I truly understand the sacrifice you are willing to make, and I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate and respect that promise."

Without the dedicated efforts of Master Sgt. Adam Gray, 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit first sergeant, Prasnicki would have never been able to thank Langley's Airmen. Gray learned about the run a mere two weeks before the event, and organized Langley's support.

To Gray, his run signified more than just an opportunity to interact with other families. It meant honoring an old friend who had suffered her own loss - so Gray had a promise to keep.

"A friend of mine lost her husband a few years ago," he said. "She asked me 'Adam, will you run his mile?' Of course, I jumped on it."

Gray immediately began looking for a starting point, and soon discovered an event was already in the works.

"A Sailor down in Norfolk actually set up the event, and I caught wind of it," said Gray. "I thought it would be great to add our Airmen into the equation, so I hit the ground running."

Gray spoke to the Sailor, reserved a spot in the run near the Hampton area and gathered 20 Airmen to run the route.

Like Dierkens, Gray ran more than his three-mile stretch, continuing to represent Langley.

"I like to see the Air Force represented," he said. "With such a large military community around us, it's important the public knows we are here, and what better way to show them than by honoring our fellow service members?"

Next year, Gray hopes he can recruit more Airmen.

"I know a lot of people would have wanted to participate had we known about the event sooner, so I hope we can cover as much road as possible next year," Gray said. "After all, I know everyone will see these are the most rewarding miles anyone will ever run."

As cars moved past the procession of RVs, trucks and runners, the drivers seemed to separate from their own worries and slow down, sobered by the sight of families, service members and supporters standing quietly around those tiny American flags.