Ole Miss ROTC members and students listen to Head Soccer Coach Matthew Mott after the 9/11 memorial run in the Grove. (DM Photo | Cady Herring)
The University of Mississippi ROTC hosted its annual Memorial Run this morning in honor of all of the victims of the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The run began in front of the Lyceum at 6 a.m. and was led by cadets of the University of Mississippi ROTC. The run was not a race but rather a way to reflect and honor the fallen and those affected by 9/11. Army Master Sgt. Hayes, senior military instructor for the ROTC, spoke of the purpose of this tradition. “The University of Mississippi has a tradition of patriotism and service to country,” Hayes said. “We want to have a run honoring the victims and the first responders from the actions of 9/11, and we want everybody to take part and recognize that people were impacted by these events.”
Ole Miss ROTC members and students prepare for the 9/11 memorial run in front of the Lyceum. (DM Photo | Cady Herring)
All of the participants of the race remain behind the cadets as they run, which reiterates the meaning behind this event. “More or less, the run is not a race or a competitive event,” Master Sgt. Hayes added. “It is a run that anyone can join, and it is a personal run as well. It means something.” The race has a deep and impactful meaning to Chase Pinson, cadet battalion commander of the UM Army ROTC.
“It’s an honor to participate, and I personally find that it always serves to refocus me on what is really important,” Pinson said.
Although running behind trained cadets may seem intimidating to someone not affiliated with the ROTC, Hayes wanted the race to be something that involved the entire Ole Miss community. “My hope is that everybody takes part and recognizes that real people were impacted by the events of 9/11,” Hayes said. “We have tried to get the school and office community on board as well as to involve as many people as possible.”
Ole Miss ROTC members and students listen to Head Soccer Coach Matthew Mott after the 9/11 memorial run in the Grove. (DM Photo | Cady Herring)
Pinson reiterated the ROTC’s hope to make this memorial run a community event.
“Not only does it allow us to pay tribute to those who were killed, but we are able to reach out to the community,” Pinson said. “It gives us a chance to invite people to come be a part of something a little bigger than themselves.”
The cadets take time away from their training schedule to participate in this event, according to Pinson, and urge the Ole Miss community to do so as well.
Shannon Deloach, junior journalism major, participated in the run last year.
“It was awesome to honor all the men and women who lost their lives that day,” Deloach said. “Running two miles is nothing compared to what they went through but it’s still a great feeling knowing you are giving a little bit of yourself to remember how much they gave for us.”
“More than anything, it’s about remembering those who died,” Pinson said. “9/11 marked the beginning of what has come to define our generation, and whatever your views may be, there’s something very special about coming together and reminding people that we’re not going to forget.”
