More than 1,000 join in Run for the Fallen Published Sept. 19, 2014 By Tara Dixon Engel Skywrighter Staff WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh. -- The clouds hung low and grey over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as runners and walkers gathered for the "Run for the Fallen" on the morning of Sept. 11. But even as the sky brooded overhead, a thin ribbon of blue opened across the horizon and bathed the skyline in sunlight. It was a visual exclamation point to the day's message of resolve and remembrance. More than 1,000 military and civilian employees donned their running shoes and lined up for a military formation run -- not a traditional road race -- to honor and remember those killed in the al-Qaida-led attack on American soil on Sept. 11, 2001. Thursday's observance featured two formations, one for runners and one for walkers. Runners completed a 3.5-mile course and walkers completed an approximately 2-mile course. "For me personally, today is a reminder of the tragic events that took place 13 years ago," said Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center commander, prior to addressing those assembled on the flight line of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. "So today is a day of remembrance, but it is also a reminder that what we do is important. When we talk about providing the warfighter's edge, it's more than just words. We provide the capabilities for our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines to be able to take the fight to those who would do us harm." This is the first year for the run, which grew out of an informal observance held in 2013, according to organizer 1st Lt. Justin Rhoades, a finance officer in the AFLCMC's Guardian Angels SPO, supporting Air Force Special Forces. "Last year for PT, we remembered the fallen by running up the hill over by the Wright Field fitness center. We carried with us the names of folks, their pictures and life stories, who had died on Sept. 11, 2001. We ran up the hill, read their story and then ran back down," said Rhoades. "My previous commander, Col. Wiggins (Col. Stephen Wiggins, who has since retired) got the idea to make this a base-wide event. His vision was to do something on a bigger scale, something that everyone could participate in. I'm really pleased with everyone who came out today. We hope to make this a yearly event." All told, approximately 3,000 Americans died that day, including 2,606 at the World Trade Center, 343 fire fighters, 60 police officers and eight EMTs. There were 125 killed at the Pentagon, 55 of them uniformed military members, and 246 passengers and air crew members died on the four airliners. Prior to starting the run, Moore stood near a base fire truck and offered remarks. He cited a quote spoken by President George W. Bush shortly after the attack. "The 9/11 attack cannot dent the steel of America's resolve." To which the general then added, "So today, we run to remember, but we also run to demonstrate America's resolve." The general's remarks wrapped up with a moment of silence as participants reflected on the events of 9/11. Following the presentation , he took his place at the head of the first formation and led the assembled runners on their symbolic Run for the Fallen.