Airmen run for knights

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Sara Greco
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Airmen from Osan and Kunsan air bases united March 18, 2012, to run the Seoul Marathon in honor of the Knights of Heroes Foundation.

The Knights of Heroes foundation's mission is to offer summer programs for children who have lost their fathers during military service. The program provides an opportunity for children with similar life experiences to bond, while adult mentors help children build foundations of good character.

Lt. Col. Steve Harrold, Knights of Heroes founder and 51st Fighter Wing inspector general, utilizes the chance to run the Seoul Marathon to benefit the foundation.

"Both the runners and the organization benefit from the race," he said. "I am a runner, so it comes naturally for me to use that as a way to raise money. We decided to use the Seoul Marathon, because it's the biggest race in Korea."

In 2011, Harrold asked military bases in Korea for volunteers to run for the Knights of Heroes. Approximately 70 Airmen from Kunsan and Osan signed up for the race. They trained from October to March, enduring a cold, wet winter to prepare.

"Before the training for this race, I had never run in below 40 degree weather," said Capt Christine Carr, 7th Air Force Plans and Resources branch chief. "When I was told about this opportunity to run for the Knights of Heroes, I really wanted to help the foundation send children to this camp. Knowing that we were running for these kids kept me moving, even in the cold weather."

The group raised more than $45,000, enough for 44 families to attend the summer programs.

This year, the runners enjoyed the rare opportunity to meet one of the families who will attend the Knights of Heroes summer camp. Air Compassion for Veterans, a sponsor of Knights of Heroes, flew the Rowe family, mother, Dawn, and children, Blake and Caitlin, out to Korea to meet the runners.

"Not only was this a chance to give thanks to the runners for their dedication to this cause, but it was also a chance to help them truly understand the reason they are running," said Dawn Rowe, widow of Marine Maj. Alan Rowe who was killed in 2004 while securing a bridge in northern Iraq.

Lt. Col. David Lercher, 51st Operations Group standards and evaluations chief, helped raise money to sponsor the Rowe family.

"Lt. Col. Harrold asked me to run the race early on, and at first I said no. Then he told me to go look at the Knights of Heroes website. After one look I was hooked," said Lercher. "I'm thankful I was able help this family."

The team wore matching T-shirts during the marathon displaying the Knights of Heroes emblem to show they were running for the foundation.

"It is a great organization," said Capt. Sarah Cossette, 51st Medical Group health care integrator. "During the race a lot of people came up and asked about the foundation. It was awesome to be able to explain what we were running for."

For more information on the Knights of Heroes Foundation, visit their official website at www.knightsofheroes.org.