SEASIDE PARK, N.J. -- Nearly 30 Navy chief petty officers from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst participated in a 9/11 memorial run on Sept. 9 here.
The chiefs have a tradition to participate in the 9.11-mile formation run every year to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
After every two miles, the chiefs stopped to tell the group where they were and what they were doing that day.
“Everyone was somewhere different in the world when 9/11 happened, and it is great to hear the stories from folks that were all over the world and some that weren’t even in the Navy yet,” said Chief Petty Officer Raymond Rizzo, NSA Lakehurst administrative chief. “Being stationed in New Jersey and seeing the support they give this run is incredible.”
This year’s event marks the fourth time the chiefs participated in the run and the second year it was held in Seaside Park.
The run culminates at a 9/11 memorial site in Seaside Park that features a piece of the World Trade Center’s north tower.
At the memorial site, Command Master Chief Everette Parker spoke about the importance of the American flag.
“She represents the greatest military power in the world” he said. “When this flag is flown, our heads should be a little higher, those colors a little truer. She bows to no one, is recognized all over the world. She is worshiped, she is saluted, she is respected, revered, she is loved and that flag right there is feared.
“Her name is Old Glory and long shall she wave, Hoo Yah.”