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Kabul Service Members Run For Fallen Hero

  • Published
  • By MC2 Vladimir Potapenko
  • 438th AEW PA
KABUL, Afghanistan --  How does someone properly pay respects for the death of a fellow service member, a "brother in arms?" While there may not be a proper way to show your respect, perhaps the best you can do is to keep the spirit of that person alive. That is why over 100 servicemembers stationed at Kabul International Airport took part in the 5th Annual LT Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial 5K Run/Walk Nov. 19. 

The event, held in Afghanistan for the first time, is a world-wide road race held each year in honor of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II, who lost his life supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It was five years ago today that 1st Lt. Dennis Zilinksi of Freehold, N.J., assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, was killed in action when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operation in Bayji, Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005," said Air Force Maj. David Burnett, the race coordinator on KAIA, prior to the start of the 5k. "We cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. We honor and pay tribute this morning by running this race in honor or Lt. Zilinski," said Maj. Burnett, before requesting the runners to join him in a moment of silence on behalf of Zilinski and all service members lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Every runner honored Zilinski with their participation, but a few Air Force Airmen showed their respect in a special way. Completing the race in full "battle rattle," meaning with armor and weapons, Senior Master Sgt. Bubba Beason, Tech. Sgt. Darryl Guppy and Tech. Sgt. Arthur Barad may not have finished with the fastest time, but their effort reflected the sacrifice that Zilinksi displayed during his military career and life. Though it was tough, stopping was never an option during the over three mile trek.

" We had to finish, we had to finish," said Tech. Sgt. Guppy, a civil engineer advisor for the 439th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, "he gave his life for us; the least we could do was finish one race."

It was Beason who proposed the idea of running the race on KAIA, whether in battle rattle or otherwise. Familiar with the race and the Zilinski family from his days stationed in New Jersey, Lt. Zilinski's home state, Beason was eager for troops stationed in Afghanistan to be able to show their appreciation and for the Zilinski family to see the support that exists for their fallen loved one. Once contacted, Marion Zilinski, Dennis' mother, and the "Run with Dennis" organization were quick to sponsor the race here in Afghanistan, providing shirts and key chains to commemorate the event and Dennis' memory.

Following the race, Beason hoisted a U.S. flag that he intends to present Marion Zilinski as a token of his thanks for her effort in bringing the race to Afghanistan and the effort her son gave in defending his country. The flag is to be flown the entire day of the race, the 5th anniversary of Dennis' death, and then brought back to the States with a commemorative certificate.

Though a race, no times were recorded. There were individual winners--no 1st or 2nd. This race was not about times, but rather the spirit and patriotism of the person it is held in honor of, said Burnett following the event.

"Words can't describe how it makes me feel (to have run the race). I'm truly honored to be able to recognize and pay tribute to such a courageous patriot. To know that Lt. Zilinski and others like him have given the ultimate sacrifice, this is the least we can do," he said.