Since 2002, thousands of law enforcement, fire officials and military personnel have flooded Army Navy Drive in support of the annual Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K Race. A race that honors the fallen and the countless lives impacted post-disaster, like Cpl. Harvey Snook III, a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Arlington County Police Department.
“This race is in honor of [Cpl. Snook] who lost a hard fight with cancer,” said Sgt. Sean Bryson, director of the Memorial 5K Race, who detailed Snook’s death during the opening ceremony of the Sept. 9 race that was attended by his mother and aunt. Snook died on Jan. 14th, 2016, as the result of cancer contracted from performing search and recovery efforts at the Pentagon initially following the terrorist attack. The annual race, now in its 16th year, serves as a benefit for 9/11-related charities and charities that support families like Harvey Snook’s.
“We’ve had over 40,000 runners cross the finish line and their efforts have raised over $700,000 for various charities,” said Murray “Jay” Farr, the Arlington County Chief of Police, who spoke from the podium to both annual loyalists and new runners alike. Farr was later followed by Jim Gilmore, former Governor of Virginia, who served from 1998 to 2002.
“When I visited the Pentagon following the attack, I was horrified by the sheer destruction rendered by those trying to tear asunder our beloved country and society,” Gilmore said, who also served as Chairman of the National Commission on Terrorism. He later added, “I especially salute the brave public safety personnel who showed exceptional poise and courage in extraordinary circumstances on 9/11, especially Corp Snook who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their acts of valor meant the difference between life and death for many that day. And I want to thank all of you here now for those acts of valor which you continue to perform each and every day.”
Over 2,800 runners would cross the finish line this year, including three members of the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Fire Department. For Capt. James Angerett, a member of the JBM-HH Fire Department, participation was personal.
“I was one of the first engine company’s to respond to the Pentagon,” Angerett said, reflecting on his actions as a member of the then Fort Myer Fire Department at the Pentagon’s crash site on that fateful day in 2001. “We put out numerous fires and helped a bunch of people get out.”
When asked why he chose a career in civic service, “I love it. I’ve done it since I was 16-years-old and I wouldn’t change the situations I’ve been in,” he said.
Running alongside Angerett was Mike Humphreys, another JBM-HH firefighter.
“Whether you’re representing as a department or you’re a surviving family member — there’s a lot of connections and significance within this race. The brother of a high school classmate actually died in the Pentagon on that day,” Humphreys said.
September is a busy month for members of the JBM-HH Fire Department and others in the National Capital Region. In addition to their regular duties, members have also trained in anticipation for the National Capital Region 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk, hosted by the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department on Sept. 16 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. The event honors the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters who died at the World Trade Center. Participants are required to climb the equivalent of 110 stories of the World Trade Center.
“I’ll be doing the climb wearing 100 pounds of gear,” Humphreys added. “Between these two events I’ve been training like I’m training for a marathon, but keeping the memory of the fallen alive is worth it.”
Race results of the 16th annual Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K Race can be found here, https://arlington911race.com/results.
To learn more about the National Capital Region 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk, visit http://events.firehero.org/site/TR?fr_id=1785&pg=entry.
Pentagram Staff Writer Arthur Mondale can be reached at awright@dcmilitary.com.