LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The hot Arizona sun beats down on the runner, forcing beads of sweat to trickle down his back. His breathing becomes harder each time his feet hits hot pavement.
But the runner is not alone and this is not a mandatory physical training session. This is Pat’s Run, an annual event held in honor of former Arizona Cardinal Pat Tillman. Tillman put a hold on his stellar career with the National Football League to enlist in the Army following the events of 9/11.
A group of Citizen Airmen from the 944th Fighter Wing joined more than 20,000 runners in participating in the annual run to support the Pat Tillman Foundation. The foundation was established in 2004 by Tillman’s family and friends following his death in Afghanistan. Its mission is to provide academic scholarships to military veterans and their spouses.
“The [944th] Top 3 sponsored seven individuals to participate in the race,” said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Perlak, 944th Security Forces Squadron superintendent and Top 3 president. “944th members just needed to notify the Top 3 that they had signed up for the run and we refunded their entry fee up to $42.00 (Tillman’s jersey number when he played for the Arizona State University Sun Devils).”
Taking part in the run to honor Tillman was an inspiration to those running with Perlak’s group.
“It’s such a great cause and I’m proud to be part of it,” said Master Sgt. Michelle Schoenfeld, Noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the 944 FW Equal Opportunity office. “I’d love to see our 944th group of runners get bigger and share our military presence in Tillman’s honor and what he believed in. He was a true patriot.”
For more information on Pat’s Run or the Pat Tillman Foundation, visit http://pattillmanfoundation.org.