Special Tactics Airmen Honor Fallen Teammates

Online, October 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Eighteen members of the Air Force's elite Special Tactics (Combat Controllers, Pararescue) will be marching 812 miles to honor the memory of their fallen comrades and raise funds for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a top-rated nonprofit organization that provides support and assistance to the families of fallen and wounded special operations personnel.

For the past three years, the Special Tactics community has held a memorial march. Originally called the Staff Sgt. Tim Davis Special Tactics Memorial March, in honor of a fallen special tactics airman, the Special Ops Walk will span across five states and will consist of six three-man teams walking 24 hours a day, in a relay format. Marchers will depart from San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 16 and arrive at Hurlburt Field, Florida on Oct. 26.

This year's march honors 17 members of the Special Tactics community who have lost their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, including three airmen assigned who lost their lives Aug.6 in Afghanistan when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. The three airmen, all from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, are Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, and Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe.

As they have done in the previous years, the marchers will carry a 50-pound ruck and a commemorative baton engraved with a fallen airman's name.

In addition to the three Airmen who lost their lives this year, the march will honor fallen warriors from earlier years: Staff Sgt. Tim Davis, Senior Airman Mark Forester, Senior Airman Daniel Sanchez, Master Sgt. William McDaniel, Staff Sgt. Juan Ridout, Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, Staff Sgt. Scott Sather, Capt. Derek Argel, Capt. Jeremy Fresques, Staff Sgt. Casey Crate, Senior Airman Adam Servais, Tech. Sgt. Scott Duffman and Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson.

"These past few months have been incredibly difficult for our special operations community," said retired Air Force Colonel and SOWF President John T. Carney, Jr. "Our hope is that this march will remind the families of these fallen warriors that they are not forgotten and that we will never forget the sacrifice of their loved ones."

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides full college educations to the children of fallen Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel. Today, there are 919 children in the foundation's program with some 141 enrolled in colleges and universities across the country.

Fort Walton Beach business owner Chris Sehman has volunteered to assist the marchers with coordinating much-needed supplies along the route as well as hosting several receptions at his Helen Back cafes.

"I feel it is critical for businesses large and small to recognize the efforts of these heroes on behalf our country, ensuring our economic way of life. And I would encourage that recognition come as support for efforts like the Special Ops Walk and organizations such as the Special Operations Warrior Foundation" said Chris Sehman, owner of Helen Back Cafe.

Surviving family members will gather at the Helen Back Cafe in Navarre, Fla. to join the team as it walks that final few miles to the Special Tactics Training Squadron. The marchers welcome anyone who wishes to join them on their walk.

For more information about the Special Ops Walk or to make a donation, please visit online at www.specialopswalk.com

Schedule for Special Ops Walk - 2011

Date Time Location
10/16/11 9:00 AM San Antonio, TX
10/16/11 4:11 PM Senguin TX
10/16/11 11:00 PM Luling, TX
10/17/11 7:00 AM Waelder, TX
10/17/11 10:30 AM Flatonia, TX
10/17/11 3:30 PM Schulenburg, TX
10/17/11 6:30 PM Weimar, TX
10/17/11 11:30 PM Columbus, TX
10/18/11 6:30 AM Sealy, TX
10/18/11 6:00 PM Aldine, TX
10/18/11 10:00 PM Ascocita, TX
10/19/11 5:00 AM Dayton, TX
10/19/11 10:00 AM Liberty, TX
10/19/11 7:00 PM Saratoga, TX
10/19/11 11:30 PM Kountze, TX
10/20/11 2:00 AM Silsbee, TX
10/20/11 10:30 AM Deweyville, TX
10/20/11 5:30 PM Dequincy, LA
10/21/11 5:00 AM Kinder, LA
10/21/11 9:00 AM Basile, LA
10/21/11 12:30 PM Eunice, LA
10/21/11 7:30 PM Opelousas, LA
10/22/11 1:30 AM Krotz Springs, LA
10/22/11 5:30 AM Livonia, LA
10/22/11 12:30 PM Baton Rouge, LA
10/23/11 4:00 AM Ponchatoula, LA
10/23/11 9:00 AM Mandeville, LA
10/23/11 5:00 PM Sliddell, LA
10/24/11 6:30 AM Gulfport, MS
10/24/11 10:00 AM Keesler AFB, MS
10/24/11 12:00 PM Ocean Springs, MS
10/24/11 5:00 PM Pascagoula, MS
10/25/11 6:00 AM Mobile, AL
10/25/11 2:00 PM Loxley, AL
10/26/11 2:00 AM Pensacola, FL
10/26/11 4:30 AM Gulf Breeze, FL
10/26/11 3:00 PM Hurlburt Field, FL

For more information about the Walk or to show your support, please visit online at http://www.specialopswalk.com