Veterans Honored At Oklahoma National Guard 5K Run, Tour

The doors were open on Saturday for the Oklahoma Army National Guard base for the 4th annual Army Aviation Veteran's Day 5K. The event is so much more than just a race. Organizers also are honoring those who serve.

This year the Thunderbird Chapter of the AAAA is hosting the fourth annual Army Aviation Veteran's Day 5K. The primary purpose is to raise money for the AAAA Scholarship Foundation and promote physical fitness and wellness within the Tulsa community. 

The Oklahoma Army National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility was the venue for the sanctioned race. It's near 46th Street North and Highway 169.

"It's so cool to be able to be out here and be in this environment, the soldiers that are out on the course it's so nice," runner Candice Brown said.

Brown was one of the first to finish in the race. She said participation made her appreciate what the National Guard does for our country, especially in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

I can't imagine the families of the people that are in the armed services that are doing that and what they're going through, ...oh my gosh, it's so overwhelming," she said.

Lt. Col. Robert Walker said it is a personal connection for some of the participants.

"Somewhere in the Oklahoma, we almost always have someone serving overseas," he said. "With everything that's happened in the last 24 hours, it's especially important that we remain vigilant, not only as a society, but also in our training."

Walker says they also wanted to open up the base to the public as a way to show thanks for the community's support.

"We wanted to try and create an opportunity where they can come in and see the tools of the trade that we use to fight our wars, to support what we do around the world and here at home in the state," Walker said. "We fight wildfires and do those state disaster missions."

There were open and age group awards for the top three finishers for each male and female in each age category, as well as Oklahoma Army National Guard Helicopters and other equipment on display.

Learn more about Army Aviation Association of America.