It was a cool, crisp morning for dozens of participants in the Second Annual Wounded Warrior 5K Walk/Run held on High Bridge Trail behind the Historic Farmville Train Station. Women's Soccer Associate Head Coach Steve Brdarski said the organizers were appreciative of all who came out to the event. "You guys make this so special," Brdarski told the crowd of Longwood students, faculty, staff and community members before the race began.
"This is strictly to have fun," Brdarski said of the race, organized by the Student Veterans Association, Women's Soccer and ROTC. "If you want this to be a serious race, see me and I'll have a serious face for you at the finish line," he joked. The purpose of the day was not one of competition. Instead, it was to recognize the Wounded Warrior Project, which works to assist injured service members in aiding and helping one another.
Motivation was the name of the game. There was a sign at the one-fourth mile mark urging participants to keep going as they were almost to the halfway mark. Once people made it 1.5 miles into the trek, another sign instructed them to turn around.
Participants in the race paid a $15 registration fee with all proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project. During the days leading up the race, special commemorative Longwood Wounded Warrior T-shirts were available for $15 in the lobby of Dorrill Dining Hall during lunch and dinner hours. Each race participant was given a shirt as part of the registration fee. Those same shirts are available in the ROTC office or by contacting Brdarski. They will also be available at Rock the Block on Sept. 16 in Midtown Square.
The 5K was just one of the events meant to honor those wounded in battle. The weekend commenced with a paintball event on Stubbs Lawn Friday afternoon. The highlight of the weekend came during the women's soccer team match versus Tennessee Tech, where wounded servicemen were honored during halftime. After Saturday's 5K Walk/Run, a benefit soccer game where the "Dream Team," made up of military members, family and friends of wounded warriors, including those of Army Capt. Shane Adcock, Marine Sgt. Donald Lamar II, and Army Sgt. Andrew McConnell, all members of the Longwood community, took on Longwood faculty and staff. The "Dream Team" came out victorious in the heated match.
ROTC Instructor Maj. Stephen Ruppel-Lee described the weekend as a "huge success." He said he enjoyed seeing Longwood and community participants on hand to support wounded veterans.
Two such wounded warriors from the community were on hand to take part in the 5K. Sgt. Anthony Verra was one of them. On September 22, 2010, Verra stepped on a pressure-plate IED while on patrol in Afghanistan. In addition to the numerous upper body injuries, Verra lost both of his legs in the blast. To this day, he continues to receive medical treatment and therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Another warrior, Dean Schwartz, grew up in nearby Keysville, Va. He joined the Virginia Army National Guard's 189th Engineer Company in Big Stone Gap, Va. in 2002. He then transferred to the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 276 Engineer Battalion of the Guard. In 2004, Schwartz was deployed to Mozul, Iraq with the Battalion. In May of that year, he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade during a mission to repair a crater made by a roadside bomb. The damage from the hit caused Schwartz to lose his left leg above the knee. He also suffered nerve damage to his right hand. Currently, Schwartz is taking a graduate course at Longwood and hopes to enter the Graduate Studies Program in the spring.
"They were asked to do more and endure more than any nation has a right to ask of their citizens and they did it voluntarily for all of us," said Ruppel-Lee. "It is the least that we can do to come together with them and tell them how much we appreciate their sacrifices, not to mention have a good time with them and raise some money to help out as well."
At the end of the race, in good humor, Brdarski gave out a few awards. Awards meaning the winners won a high-five from Brdarski and a smaller prize, such as a coozie or coffee mug. Awards for things such as the first person to cross the line with a water cup still in their hand, first dog to cross the line, and most runner-like participant in the race were all victorious.
Senior Daniel Yoo said, "The encouragement that was given to the people that were passing was a great experience and I enjoyed seeing people support others."
"The Wounded Warrior 5K was a lot of fun to run and I was really glad I did it," said Laura Stuchlak, sophomore. "There were students and staff from all different organizations and departments from Longwood and a handful of Farmville community members participating in the event. It was nice to see so many people came out to help support the men and women from our community who have fought for our country."
The support not only came in the form of awareness, but also in donations. Crystal Thibault, ROTC treasurer, said, "We have currently raised around $1,700 to be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, with hopes of raising about $2,000 more."
Senior Rachel Zeldin said, "The 5K wasn't just a walk, it was to remember those who were wounded serving for our country." The day meant a little bit more to Zeldin than it did to many participants. "After just loosing a close family friend two weeks ago from yesterday from serving in Afghanistan, this Wounded Warriors weekend was definitely close to my heart."
Zeldin said, "I thought everyone had a great attitude during the walk and the atmosphere was just full of Longwood spirit; and that's what you need during one of these kinds of events."
