Rucking for the Wounded Warrior Project

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jennifer Boll and Nicholas Tapp
  • 509th Contracting Squadron
Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. --  Barely an hour after the sun rose on May 18, 2013, six members from the 509th Contracting Squadron grabbed their rucksacks, ranging from 50 to 100 pounds, and set off for a six-mile hike around Opossum Trail in Knob Noster State Park.

In reality, though, this was more than a hike -- it was an opportunity to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides unique programs and services to injured veterans.

Altogether, the group lugged a total of 450 pounds for what ended up being a three-hour hike.

Airman 1st Class Austin Meadows organized this unique fundraising event; in fact, he had wanted to ruck march for a few months. It was during this time that he realized he could do something he enjoyed for a good cause.

Meadows said he believes strongly in the Wounded Warrior Project mission to honor and empower wounded warriors, and he has been a regular donor for the past year.

Members of the 509th Contracting Squadron kicked off the fundraising campaign by volunteering to participate in the ruck march. From there, pledges and donations were collected based on the miles to be rucked. The grand total raised for the ruck march was $270.

Airman 1st Class Jerald Belford, who had never rucked before, ended up carrying a total of 90 pounds on his back.

He said participating in the event was absolutely worth it because team members were able to help injured Service members. Belford also added that he had a good time rucking with his co-workers.

Airman 1st Class Theodore Church-Reeves said, "I was motivated to try something new and challenging while supporting a charity that I strongly believe in and support."

The terrain of the Opossum Trail was much more difficult than any of the ruckers had anticipated.

Church-Reeves added that it was a humbling and exhilarating experience finishing and realizing how much they had accomplished as a group.

It was motivating to see people helping each other through while struggling themselves, said 2nd Lt. Alicia Fleshman.

The Wounded Warrior Project helps injured Service members aid and assist each other, raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of the injured Service members and provide unique and direct programs and services to injured veterans.
For more information about the project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.