Two Airmen walk away winners

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. – (Left center) First-place winner Tech. Sgt. Don DeMarco, 442nd Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft mechanic, and runner up, Chief Master Sgt. Tim Cooley, 509th Bomb Wing command chief, receive certificates from the (left) Dr. Nita Hawk, 509th Operations Squadron health promotion director and fitness program manager, and (right) Staff Sgt. Heidi Wacker, 509th MDOS diet therapist NCO in charge, March 18. The pedometer program, ‘stepping through the winter’ is designed to encourage the base populace to get physically active. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez) (Released)

Two Airmen walk away winners

Published March 23, 2011
By Heidi Hunt
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The Health and Wellness Center announced the winners of the pedometer program 'stepping through the winter' March 18, and selected two Airmen who set the standard and helped encourage the base populace to get physically active.

The first place winner was Tech. Sgt. Don DeMarco, 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft mechanic with 1,976,786 steps, or 658.9 miles. The runner up was Chief Master Sgt. Tim Cooley, 509th Bomb Wing command chief, who took 1,972,560 steps, or 657.5 miles.

The competition at this Air Force Global Strike Command base drew more than 250 participants and totaled more than 35 million steps enough to walk nearly halfway around the world.

"The program is a 150 percent increase from last year," said Dr. Nita Hawk, 509th Medical Operations Squadron health promotion director and fitness program manager.

Sergeant DeMarco won first place last year and said this year he was more competitive this time, outdoing his old record by 161,855 steps.

"My motivation is the simple fact that I try to provide a positive example for the younger Airmen," Sergeant DeMarco said.

With a full schedule, Sergeant DeMarco wants Airmen to understand that their job should not have bearing on their ability to make time to exercise.

"I am 44-years-old, married with a child, a flightline crew chief, mid-shift worker, a fulltime student, yet I find time to workout."

Chief Cooley said the program provides motivation to stay in shape during the winter months, and he enjoys the competition because it allows him to relieve stress, stay fit and reenergize.

"On behalf of the HAWC, I'd like to congratulate Chief Cooley and Sergeant DeMarco and an honorable mention to Mr. Jack Allen, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, with 1,321,780 steps," Dr. Hawk said. "Thank you to everyone who participated; it is amazing to see the increase in participation from last year's contest."

The HAWC provided the pedometers and participants were required to log their steps weekly. For more information about the contest, contact the HAWC at (660) 687-7662.