ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (Sept. 11, 2014) --
The Altus Air Force Base Fitness Center hosted an 11-mile memorial run Sept. 11, 2014, honoring the victims of the attacks that took place Sept. 11, 2001.
The third annual memorial run began at 6 a.m. at the fitness center and ran down Tower and Perimeter Roads.
"It doesn't matter how many years it's been," said Jeremy Stevens, fitness director with the 97th Force Support Squadron. "It shouldn't be something that's easily forgotten."
The importance of remembering was apparent with the strong support participating in the run. Stevens said 56 runners participated in the event, more than he hoped for.
"It's great that Altus has an event to honor that," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Paul Breckon who is here on temporary duty from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. This is his first time participating in an event honoring 9/11 victims.
"It's important we mark the occasion," said Brecken. "It's been a long time now and it's just as important."
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Trinidad Gutierrez, an instructor loadmaster with the 58th Airlift Squadron, even put his training for the Air Force Marathon on hold for a day so he could honor the victims.
Stevens hopes the run will also serve as a public awareness opportunity. "Just because you're in America doesn't mean you are untouchable," he said.
Although it's been more than a decade since the attacks and America faces new challenges, events such as memorial runs keep the memory of those lost, alive.