FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Nate Springer, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson, talks to Gold Star Families Sept. 10, 2021, during the opening ceremony for the Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember Run for the Fallen event at Gate 1 at Fort Carson, Colorado. (Photo by Amber Martin)
By Norman Shifflett
Fort Carson Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — David Earp, co-director, Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember, presents a coin and plaque to John M. Sullivan Jr., Gold Star Family member and son to former Sgt. John M. Sullivan, September 10, 2021, during the opening ceremony for the Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember Run for the Fallen event. Sgt. John M. Sullivan was killed in action Dec. 30, 2006, and never met his son, who was born Dec. 31, 2006. (Photo by Amber Martin)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Fort Carson leaders ensured there was a way for everyone in the community to pay their respects by participating in various events throughout the weekend.
Soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson paid tribute by completing a division run Sept. 10, 2021. Afterward, a wreath laying ceremony was held at Gate 1 with Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson; Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson; as well as Don Addy, a Good Neighbor who was instrumental in obtaining a segment of the remnants of the World Trade Center and transporting it to Fort Carson to be included in a monument built in 2011.
“Twenty years is a long time. There are Soldiers serving in our Army who were born after 9/11,” Hodne said. “Those of you who were alive on 9/11 remember where you were, you remember what was going through your minds and you remember how the country rallied (together). … As we reflect and pay tribute, our job in the U.S. Army is to renew our dedication, build a culture that tomorrow’s Army is going to be better than today’s.”
North American Aerospace Defense Command hosted the area 9/11 ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base with two flyovers.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, and Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, lead “Ivy” Soldiers during a 9/11 memorial run Sept. 10 at Fort Carson. The Soldiers honored the memories of the lives lost Sept. 11, 2001, and paid tribute to the patriots and their Families who have sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom. (Photo by Spc. Ruby Torres)
Additionally, Fort Carson marked the starting point for the Run for the Fallen event Sept. 10, which was held to honor and remember service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
“Every year is special because we honor all Colorado fallen military (members),” said Jennifer Earp, director, Colorado Run for the Fallen and the Colorado Chapter of Honor and Remember. “But I think the significance of this being the 20th anniversary — of the horrific attack on our country — is felt by all of us.”
The event took place Sept. 10 through Sunday beginning at the Mountain Post and ending at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, totaling 115 miles.
The run kicked off at 7 a.m. with an opening ceremony and included volunteers from Fort Carson, representatives from the community and Gold Star Families who joined the committee members and runners.
During the opening ceremony a personalized Honor and Remember flag was presented to John Michael Sullivan Jr., son of Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient Sgt. John Michael Sullivan, who was killed in action Dec. 30, 2006, while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. Sgt. John Michael Sullivan never met his son who was born Dec. 31, 2006.
John Michael Sullivan Jr. said he was very thankful to receive the flag, and said it was important to him that the organization remembered his father’s service and sacrifice.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Four wreaths are presented at the 9/11 Memorial outside the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command headquarters on Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sept. 11, 2021. Presenting the fourth wreath is Vince Niski, Colorado Springs chief of police, and Randy Royal, Colorado Springs fire chief. A total of four wreaths were laid representing the U.S. military, the Canadian military, community leaders and first responders. (Photo by Jay Bansil)
“On the day (after) he died, (his son) was born,” said Paige Sturdivant, Sgt. John Michael Sullivan’s daughter. “So, we got a blessing out of it, but I still miss him every day.”
Gold Star Family members Debbie Rowland and William Rowland said this year’s event holds even more meaning.
“Not just because of what happened to us, but also what happened on 9/11, 20 years ago,” said Debbie Rowland. “With us leaving Afghanistan and all the events of this world, it is kind of nice to see everyone come together and honor the fallen.”
Col. Nate Springer, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson, said events such as this need to be held so people will always remember the sacrifice these warriors made and to celebrate their lives.
The group began with 10 core runners but had teams located at Peterson Space Force Base and the U.S. Air Force Academy, as well as teams that joined portions of the run throughout the weekend as they made their way north to Denver.
“We run for the fallen so we remember (them),” said Brittany Dino, a core runner in the event. “We let the Gold Star Family members know that we are still honoring them.”
While running through Fort Carson, the group stopped at 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) headquarters to honor Sgt. Maj. James G. Sartor, 10th SFG(A), who died in Afghanistan in 2019.
During the journey, the runners stopped nearly every mile and read names of fallen heroes. Gold Star Families were either present to hear the reading of the names or were able to watch it live on social media.
“I want to send a message to the community, (service members), veterans and especially to the Gold Star communities that their heroes’ service and sacrifice aren’t forgotten,” she said.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, talks to “Ivy” Soldiers Sept. 10, 2021, at the 9/11 Memorial at Fort Carson. (Photo by Spc. Kelsey Simmons)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — From left: David Earp, co-director, Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember, reads from a plaque as Jim Carr, U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and George Lutz, Gold Star Family member and founder of Honor and Remember, hold a flag Sept. 10, 2021, during the opening ceremony for the Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember Run for the Fallen event at Gate 1 at Fort Carson, Colorado. The flag was presented to John M. Sullivan Jr., Gold Star Family member and son to Sgt. John M. Sullivan who was killed in action Dec. 30, 2006. (Photo by Amber Martin)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Runners begin the first leg of a three-day, 100-mile run from Fort Carson, Colorado to Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Sept. 10, 2021, as part of the Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember Run for the Fallen event. (Photo by Norman Shifflett)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — James Kilpatrick, survivor outreach coordinator, Survivor Outreach Services, far left, stands with Gold Star Families during the national anthem Sept. 10, 2021, at the opening ceremony for the Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember Run for the Fallen event at Gate 1 at Fort Carson, Colorado. (Photo by Amber Martin)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — John M. Sullivan, Gold Star Family member and son to former Sgt. John M. Sullivan, accepts an Honor and Remember flag Sept. 10, 2021, during the opening ceremony for the Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember Run for the Fallen event. Sgt. John M. Sullivan was killed in action Dec. 30, 2006, and never met his son who was born Dec. 31, 2006. (Photo by Amber Martin)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Nate Springer, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson, talks to Gold Star Families Sept. 10, 2021, during the opening ceremony for the Colorado Chapter Honor and Remember Run for the Fallen event at Gate 1. (Photo by Norman Shifflett)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — John Michael Sullivan Jr. and his sister, Paige Sturdivant, display the personalized Honor and Remember flag in front of the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard (MCG), Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Sept. 10, 2021. (Photo by Norman Shifflett)
