Soldiers run 365 miles to remember the fallen in a ‘Ruck to Remember’

A group of soldiers is running 365 miles as a way of honoring fallen members of the military.

News 12 Staff

Oct 30, 2019, 9:42 PM

Updated 1,662 days ago

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A group of soldiers is running 365 miles as a way of honoring fallen members of the military.
The group of eight men is running for six days through seven states as part of the “Ruck to Remember.”
“We are conducting a 365-mile ruck march, which is essentially walking very fast, if not at a slow jog with a 35-pound ruck on your back,” says Chief Warrant William Reese.
The group is based out of Fort Bragg in North Carolina. New 12 New Jersey met up with them Wednesday in Wayne, where they stayed overnight. They were preparing to get back on the road at mile 241. They started their trek Saturday at Arlington National Cemetery and will finish Friday in Guilford, Connecticut, where a larger “Ruck to Remember” 5K race will be held.
“We remember the people that went overseas before us and that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters. We have to remember those that are current and past,” says Staff Sgt. Dandre Elliot.
The group says that they have been getting a lot of support along the way on their journey, from local law enforcement keeping them safe on the streets, to members of the community supporting their cause.
“All the different demographics of people that came out to support. It didn't matter where we were - in Philly and Baltimore - we had folks lining the streets,” says Reese.
They say that honoring the fallen is all that matters.
“Though my legs hurt, though my back hurts, you know, I’ve got a couple of sores – I don’t think about that when I’m rucking down the road carrying their names and carrying their flags,” says Elliot.
The soldiers won’t all run the full 365 miles – they are doing it in a rotation.
They are raising money for an organization called APK Charities, which is hoping the 5K race in Connecticut on Saturday. More information can be found on the APK website.


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