USAF EC Eagles run from river to sea for Wounded Warrior Project

  • Published
  • By Staff
  • USAF Expeditionary Center
JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  A team of seven U.S. AF Expeditionary Center Eagles raised more than $1500 for the Wounded Warrior Project, running the 15th Annual River to Sea Relay. The 14-segment, 92-mile journey across New Jersey stretched from Milford, on the Delaware River, to the shoreline of Manasquan.

Each of the seven runners ran two legs of the relay which traveled through 34 towns in Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

The team, Col. Tip Stinnette, Col. Mark Ellis, Lieutenant Col. Patrick Verdon, Capt. Brian Tuzzolino, 2nd Lt. Megan Jenkins, Technical Sgt. Chuck Bina and Staff Sgt. Scott Warren all have an avocation for running. While their experience varied from Col. Ellis having run a marathon in each of the 50 states to the fit to fight warriors, Technical Sgt. Bina and Staff Sgt. Warren, of the Mobility Operations School, they all shared a common trait - all are military professionals. They commonly push themselves to perform at levels higher than they realize they're capable of in order to help their team succeed. Evidence of this commitment to the WWP and to each other drove them to complete the event at a 7:34 minute per mile pace, finishing an hour and a half sooner than they'd planned.

Capt. Tuzzolino said the team knew they were embarking on a physically and mentally challenging event. "We're all well aware it pales in comparison to what our seriously wounded veterans live with daily," said Tuzzolino. "So when it came time to select a worthwhile non-profit organization to run for it was a no-brainer."

The Wounded Warrior Project was started by a group of veterans and like-minded individuals who decided to make a positive difference in the lives of those who had given up so much for their country. The WWP mission is to raise awareness and enlist public aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members.

Capt. Tuzzolino said it was a cause seven USAF EC Airmen would gladly run across the state for.

For information on the Wounded Warrior Project, visit their webpage at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.