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3rd ID Wives Run In Honor Of Deployed Husbands
September 20, 2007
In the military, deployments have become commonplace. Deployments are a stressful time not only for the Soldier, but the spouse who is left behind at home to handle the bills, the kids, and anything else that might crop up during the course of a year or more, while their spouse is away. Sometimes things go smoothly and other times they don’t go quite as smooth.
For myself, this past 15 months while Marty’s been deployed have been 15 very busy months. I’ve filled my days with my job which at times can occupy many hours in a day, as well as immersed myself in writing here at A Soldier’s Mind. For a group of 37 ladies at Fort Stewart, wives of deployed Soldiers with 3rd Infantry Division, they’ve taken a unique approach to cope with the stressors involved with their husbands deployments, as well as a way to honor their husbands in the process.
ARMY TEN-MILER PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 18, 2007
CONTACT: Roxana Hoveyda, 202-685-48203RD INFANTRY DIVISION WIVES RUN IN HONOR OF THEIR DEPLOYED HUSBANDS “The longer I run, the smaller my problems become…”
WASHINGTON, DC — For the last few months, a group of 37 wives at Forts Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia have been training to run the 23rd annual Army Ten-Miler in honor of their deployed husbands of the 3rd Infantry Division. For some of these ladies, it’s their third deployment that they have had to cope with.
The Army Ten-Miler provides a goal for these women - that not only honors their husbands’ call to duty but allows them to support one another, get in shape and, for some, run a distance they hadn’t even thought about doing before. The group tries to get together monthly for larger practices with smaller groups getting together more regularly. According to group member
Gabrielle Winton, most of the runners are doing this more for the camaraderie of the event, the idea of representing Army Wives in a positive light, and to stay focused on positive things while their husbands are deployed. Some are doing it because their husband didn’t think they could run the distance - and, according to her, those are the ones to watch out for on race day as
they are determined to get to that finish line fast!“I believe we represent the families of deployed soldiers and the spirit of Army Families everywhere in that our running is one of the many ways we carry on and don’t quit while our loved ones are gone. Running the Army Ten-Miler as a group shows solidarity, and a desire to keep physically healthy. But more than the physical benefits of running, we all enjoy the emotional
benefits.”Group members support one another. “When we’re running with friends, laughing and talking through problems, things just seem better. We have a saying that ‘the longer I run, the smaller my problems become’- it is so true!” says Winton. Gabrielle’s husband, Lt. Col. Doug Winton is deployed in Iraq for the second time. “I think it’s important to have groups like ours out there so that people don’t forget that for every Soldier serving, there is a family he or she left behind. Those families are making a huge sacrifice too and we’re just as proud to do it.”
Runners can cheer on the 37 wives of the 3rd Infantry Division on race day.
For media opportunities, please contact Roxana Hoveyda at 202-685-4820 or
Shaunteh Kelly at 202-685-3603.About the Army Ten-Miler
The 23rd edition of America’s largest 10-mile running event takes place on Sunday, October 7 in Washington, DC. The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and KBR are the co-lead sponsors for this year’s event. This Army tradition attracts over 26,000 runners, of varying experience, from around the world to run a course that starts and finishes at the Pentagon and passes such national landmarks as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Known for its organizational excellence and American heroes - the Army Ten-Miler is an event to be experienced.Race weekend activities including the Race Expo presented by New Balance, featuring over 50 vendors, fitness clinics, the Press Conference presented by TANDBERG, and new this year, the TANDBERG Interactive Zone. The Expo and all included activities are free and open to the public. Race day features the Health Net Federal Services Youth Runs, the 94.7 the Globe Post Race Party
with bands, entertainment and a live broadcast and HOOAH Tents representing Army installations from around the world. Families will enjoy the Health Net Federal Services Youth Activity Zone, interactive inflatables, Army racing displays, the GEICO Gecko, unique sports experience the Hill, and much more. Proceeds from the Army Ten-Miler go to support soldier and soldier family
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs. For more information on DC’s premier running event, visit the Army Ten Miler website.
I think this is a fantastic way of coping with the stressors of their spouses deployment as well as showing honor to these brave Heroes. I’m sure that if possible, the husbands of these 37 women will be watching in anticipation as their wives compete in this event. Good Luck Ladies!
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4 Responses to “3rd ID Wives Run In Honor Of Deployed Husbands”
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[...] STAREMAIL wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptRunning the Army Ten-Miler as a group shows solidarity, and a desire to keep physically healthy. But more than the physical benefits of running, we all enjoy the emotional benefits.†Group members support one another. … [...]
i know this deployment the brigades (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) have been staggered in their deployment dates. will there be a group of amazing 3rd ID army wives running in this race next year? my husband is in 4th brigade, 3ID and will be deployed and this might just be the thing i am looking for during this deployment. good luck in october!
Joni I’m not sure if there will be a group running next year or not. Perhaps you could take with some of the wives in your husband’s brigade about participating in it next year. Please share our Thanks to your husband for his service and sacrifice for our Country.
[...] couple weeks back I had been contacted by Roxana Hoveyda and been sent the Press Release about the 3rd ID Wives that are running in honor of their deployed spouses. Then last week, Roxana sent me the press [...]