Big Easy 5K Run Aids Hurricane Victims

When I read this story, I thought, "How cool". Here was a race run, by American soldiers fighting for the Iraqi people,to benefit their fellow Americans and, it was being run in Saddam's hometown.

The run raised more than $6,200 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund.

By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Timmons 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq, Oct. 21, 2005 — While Iraqi citizens were helping themselves take a step forward to a representative government during the constitutional referendum, some U.S. soldiers were helping those struck hard by Hurricane Katrina by donating time and money to the Big Easy 5K run held here Oct. 16.

"It is important because it shows solidarity," said Damian Gonzalez, a member of the Forward Operating Base Speicher Fire Department and overall winner of the race. "We saw it after 9/11 when we as Americans came together."

Gonzalez added that it was part of the relief and a way that those deployed to Iraq can help raise money.

Along with Gonzalez, 500 people signed up for the run and another 200 donated money to the relief, said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Alisha Ramsey, the event founder and coordinator. The event raised more than $6,200 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund.

Rest of the story.