CAMP JOHNSON, Vt.  –   Members of the Vermont National Guard and the local community joined together for the 10th Annual Vermont Remembers Run, Sept. 11, 2016, at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt. The event is a civilian sponsored event, supported by the Vermont National Guard, and brings the military and community together for a common cause.

“The Vermont Remembrance Run is for all the Vermont National Guard and open to the community,” said U.S. Army Maj. Maurice Denis, one of the event coordinators assigned to 86th Troop Command, Vermont National Guard. “We remember all the fallen heroes from the Vermont National Guard and we invite people from all over the state to participate. The funds are directly dedicated to the upkeep of the memorial and the memorial enhancement project.”

Denis said event planning includes monthly committee meetings involving members of the Vermont National Guard, community sponsors and volunteers.

“We meet every month to coordinate events for the race and everybody is very, very supportive. It’s been awesome!” said Denis.

Every year, the committee tries to make the race bigger and better, said Denis. The committee does this by working to improve the number of sponsors and participants. One improvement this year, compared to past years, is the kids events and activities. The race still included the 5k and 11k run, walk, or ruck-march, and a kid’s fun run.

Other than raising funds for the memorial, the event helps to bring the military and community together. Community organizations helped to assist by providing food for participants, registration, security, and water points. Denis said the planning committee’s future goal is to expand participation all over Vermont.

Jack Russell, the owner of Century 21 Jack Associates, has been a sponsor of the event every year. Russell said his role is to raise money for the event, but also go out and get more sponsors and participants. He is also part of the planning committee..

“It [the run] brings the community to the guard, and the guard to the community, and you get a sense of appreciation [of the Vermont National Guard],” said Russell. “It’s really been a pleasure and we get excited about it every year. It gives you a sense of honor to know we have such a great establishment in our community.”

Russell said the plan now is to try and figure out where the gaps are and start planning for next year.