Ceremony kicks off NCR leg of 9/11 Ruck March to Remember

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Richard A. Williams Jr.
  • Air Force Public Affairs Agency
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  Security forces Airmen from across the national capital region joined for a wreath laying ceremony Aug. 29 at the Pentagon.

The ceremony marked the beginning of their participation in the Security Forces 9/11 Ruck March to Remember.

"Our enemies will never win while America's Airmen stand ready to 'defend the force,' to project airpower, and to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure victory," said Brig. Gen. Jimmy McMillian, the Air Force's director of security forces. "I ask each of you to never let the memories and sacrifices of our fallen defenders -- and other Americans -- be forgotten."

Staff Sgt. Russell Logan, a security forces Airman from the 164th Airlift Wing with the Tennessee Air National Guard, joined McMillian in placing the ceremonial wreath. Logan is a wounded warrior recovering at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., from injuries sustained during an improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan. He will join the ruck march.

"(Logan) is an inspiration to all, and an example of a defender who is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to ensure mission success," McMillian said.

"It is a really big honor for me to be here and participate," Logan said. "This event shows security forces Airmen are willing and ready to do whatever needs to be done, whether it is to fight, remembering or helping others."

Security forces Airmen from the national capital region will complete a leg of the march that began in San Antonio on July 12. More than 20 security forces units will have participated when the march reaches Ground Zero on Sept. 11.

"Together we will help complete a 2,181-mile road march to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor the memories of our fallen security forces comrades," McMillian said.

Thirty-five Airmen from the NCR, led by McMillian, will rendezvous with Airmen from the 633rd Security Forces Squadron out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., in Moorefield, W.Va. From there, they will complete a 144-mile section of the march to Valley Hill, Pa., Sept. 2, where they will pass the guidon to members of the 436th SFS out of Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The march to Ground Zero is in remembrance of all security forces Airmen who have made ultimate sacrifice, event coordinators said.