Marchin' on Published April 26, 2010 By Senior Airman Ashley N. Avecilla Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT, N.D. -- Members of Minot AFB participated in the first-ever Wounded Warrior Project Awareness Ruck March here April 24. This is the first year the base has promoted the event and ran in conjunction with the Minot Family YMCA Marathon. The march involved members from numerous squadrons and up to a 26.2-mile march. "The goal of this march is to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project," said Senior Airman Christopher Rast, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron commander support staff assistant and ruck march point of contact. "The WWP is a non-profit organization that helps combat veterans, who have been severely wounded, lead a normal life." While the participants had their own reasons for becoming involved in the march, the majority sited raising awareness as a key reason for joining. "I have a very motivated and passionate senior airman working for me who drove home the importance of this cause," said 1st Lt. Joseph Balskus, 5th CES deputy programs flight deputy flight chief. "We all know friends who have been wounded in the Area of Responsibility so raising awareness of the WWP is an honor for us." There were approximately 60 Airmen who participated in the event. Members had the option of marching 4 1/2 to 8 1/2 miles, or the full 26.2 miles with 50-pound ruck sacks. According to Airman Rast, as word of the event spread, more and more people became involved. "This was originally started as a 5th CES specific event, but due to its popularity, it grew to base-wide participation," said Airman Rast. The teams who registered for the event this year were the 5th CES, 5th Mission Support Group, 91st Security Forces Group, 91st Maintenance Group, 91st Security Support Squadron, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron and a first sergeants team. Approximately 53 members participated in the relay and seven completed the entire 26.2 miles. Participants began the march at 8 a.m., with the last contestant crossing the finish at 6 p.m. It started and ended at the YMCA. Rita Tescher, marathon director, waived all marathon fees for those participating in the march. For more information or to donate money to the cause, logon to the organization's website at http://wwpproudsupporter.kintera.org/minotruck