The CGSC Foundation sponsored the 2021 KU Vets Day 5K race on Nov. 14, 2021, on the University of Kansas campus.
This year’s race was in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the end of Desert Storm and boasted nearly 600 participants, some of whom participated virtually, comprised of veterans from all around the region, KU students and KU ROTC students, family members and running enthusiasts in general.
The race festivities opened with the National Anthem and the playing of “Taps” to honor and remember all veterans past and present and their service and sacrifice for the nation. The race kicked off shortly thereafter at the sound of an air horn at 9 a.m. sharp. Enthusiastic runners yelled, laughed and jumped as they crossed the starting line, but faces turned serious quickly as the first hill in what was reportedly a very hilly five-kilometer track, loomed within the first half-kilometer.
Foundation Director of Operations Lora Morgan ran the race, ultimately winning her age category. New Foundation Trustee Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Clyde “Butch” Tate, II, also represented the Foundation in the race. Friends of the Foundation, John and Judy Bauer from Leavenworth, as well as Leavenworth Mayor Pro Tem Camalla Leonhard, also participated. Leonhard will assume duties as Leavenworth mayor in December.
Part of the Foundation’s sponsorship included setting up a table at the start/finish line. Foundation President/CEO Rod Cox assisted by daughter Paige Cox focused the Foundation’s presence at the race on raising race attendees’ awareness about Wreaths Across America and how to honor fallen veterans during the coming holiday season.
Helping round out the Foundation’s presence at the race was Army University Chief of Staff Greg Williams and his wife Gail, and Combined Arms Center Personnel Officer (G-1), Col. Mark Morgan, spouse of the Foundation’s director of operations.
According to race organizers, KU has nearly 1,500 military‐affiliated students and the net proceeds from the KU Vets Day 5K will support KU’s military‐affiliated initiatives: KU Student Veterans of America chapter (SVA), the Lt. Gen. William K. Jones Military‐Affiliated Student Center (MASC), and the KU Veterans Alumni Network (VAN). The SVA provides KU student veterans with an excellent forum to meet peers, share common experiences, network, and ensure the veteran voice is heard on campus and beyond. The MASC is KU’s centralized resource for all military‐affiliated students (current military, prior‐ service veterans, ROTC students, spouses, dependents). The VAN connects former military members and those who support the military through resources and events, with an aim of supporting military‐affiliated students attending KU.
For more photos, see the CGSC Foundation Flickr album
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