Marines set up on Oct. 16 on Barton Field for the fifth annual Tribute to the Fallen which runs through Nov. 5. Marines and Sailors at Fort Gordon have been running 24 hours a day since the fifth annual Tribute to the Fallen kicked off Oct. 16 on Barton Field. Each runs 3 miles in about 25 minutes for a Navy Corpsmen or Marine that has died in Iraq or Afghanistan since terrorists attacked the United States Sept. 11, 2001. At press time about 1,166 Marines and Navy Corpsmen who have made the ultimate sacrifice are being honor in this manner. Other service members, active duty, reservists and National Guard members, on post have come out and ran with Fort Gordon’s Marines and Sailors to assure the fallen are not forgotten.

The last run of the tribute will take place 9 a.m. Nov. 5 on Barton Field. Fort Gordon’s Marines and Sailors invite all service members on post, retirees and the general public to run with them to honor all who have died in the Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan conflict. A 21-gun salute will pay final respect for the fallen following the run.

Photos by Bonnie Heater Marine Cpl. Douglas Beiser passes the ammo pouch to Marine Staff Sgt. Heath Martin [front runner] during a rain storm noon Oct. 27 on a muddy Barton Field. Beiser ran for Marine Staff Daniel Clay, age 27, of Penscola, Fla., who died Dec. 5, 2005 in Fallujah, Iraq. For more information about the Tribute to the Fallen call Gunnery Sgt. Jared Bean at (706) 791-2872.