Kids run for Armed Forces Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Team McConnell celebrated Armed Forces Day by participating in America's Armed Forces Kids Run around base housing.

More than 64 children and their parents participated in the annual event.

Dependent on the child's age, course lengths varied from one half of a mile to two miles. The start and finish lines were at the McConnell Youth Center.

The event is held annually on military installations worldwide.

"This is our third year participating," said Sonja Genke, 22nd Air Refueling Wing chaplain spouse, "it's become a tradition."

Genke participated in the run with her two daughters.

In addition to celebrating Armed Forces day with the run, there was a free showing of the movie "The Hunger Games," May 18, at the base theater.

Approximately 380 Team McConnell Airmen and family members took advantage of the free show.

The movie was a "thank-you" to Team McConnell, said Mary Reece, Airman and Family Readiness Center chief.

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and was created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the U.S. military branches.