Ruck march commemorates the fallen Published May 18, 2011 By Kate Blais 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- For 7.2 miles, 27 teams of four and two individuals trekked through desert landscape with a 35-pound sandbag in their rucksack as part of the annual Ultimate Sacrifice Memorial Ruck March hosted by the 95th Security Forces Squadron Desert Defenders, May 13. "We're paying homage to those that have fallen and given the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country," said Tech. Sgt. Edward Vega, 95th SFS, one of the event's organizers. After a 7 a.m. start time, teams began to cross the finish line on the trailhead behind the fire station at the junction of Forbes and Fitzgerald around 8:45 a.m. Funds raised from this event, including entry fees, were distributed between the Middle-Tier Association, the Airman's Council and the Desert Defenders. "I've been deployed overseas quite a few times and have seen a lot of devastation and heartache over there," said Ron VanArsdale, 412th Maintenance Squadron AMMO and member of Team 21. "I just got out here [to Edwards] and these guys talked me into doing it and hadn't trained for it, but next year I'll be ready for it. It was a blast." Mr. VanArsdale and his fellow Team 21 teammates took second place in the team competition, right behind the first place Team 8. "We decided to do this first for the camaraderie, then we got out here and with no intention of trying to win, we almost did," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Grant, 412th MXS AMMO and member of Team 21. "The best thing about this is that you see everyone out there motivating each other, it kind of brings Team Edwards together. No matter how tough it is out there, you have brothers and sisters fighting overseas that have it tougher than us." In remarks before the race began, Chief Master Sgt. William Green, 95th SFS manager, reminded race participants what they were commemorating. "Remember why we're out here participating in this event," said Chief Green. "We're honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the nation." Even with the increasing heat and blazing sun, participants were in good spirits after they crossed the finish line. "From what I see right now," added Chief Green, "They're a little bit spent from doing this and I see some tired faces, but I think this was good." Congratulations to those with the fastest times and those who won other awards: Fastest team: Senior Airman Moses Dunkley, 95th SFS, Tech Sgt. Bobby Rodriguez, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Tech Sgt. Mitchell Mason, 31st TES and Capt. Derek House, 31st TES Fastest Coed Team: 2nd Lt. Daniel Jamerson, 95th Force Support Squadron, Staff Sgt. Calvin Trowbridge, 412th Maintenance Group, Senior Airman Angela Sharp, 95th FSS and Senior Airman Jasmine Mendez, 95th FSS Fastest Female Team: Tech Sgt. Treverly Cox, 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Senior Airman Danielle Slody, 95th Medical Operations Squadron, Shona Woods, Tech Sgt. Carmen Ellis, 95th AMDS Most Money Raised: Martha Downing and Lisa Keeling Ooh-Rah Award (most spirited): Michael Kelly, Staff Sgt. Anthony Adversalo, Daniel Hendy and James Suggs, all from 412th MXS Geriatric Award: Senior Master Sgt. Todd Smith, Master Sgt. Rusty Shaffer, Tech Sgt. Jaime Gutierrez and Staff Sgt. Joseph Devera, all from 31st TES Pediatric Award: 2nd Lt. Daniel Jamerson, 95th Force Support Squadron, Staff Sgt. Calvin Trowbridge, 412th Maintenance Group, Senior Airman Angela Sharp, 95th FSS and Senior Airman Jasmine Mendez, 95th FSS.