Another strong showing in a grueling competition! Annually, the Appalachian State ROTC Cadets travel to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to take part in the Mountain Man Memorial March. The event honors Gold Star families, the sacrifices they have endured, and the ultimate sacrifice our service members have made. The Mountain Man Memorial March also serves as a way for Cadets to show what they are made of and put forth their best during the half or full-marathon ruck march-- either as a five-member team or as individuals. Each participant in the Full and Half event competes in military boots and pants and carries a 35-pound rucksack. There is also the opportunity for 10K, half-marathon, and marathon runners. This year, the event hosted over 900 competitors and several military and ROTC teams. Appalachian State brought five teams total (three men's teams and two women's teams) and many individual racers. Over 45 App ROTC members attended as competitors or support personnel, helping the teams during the race. An App State male full marathon team has taken home first place for the past 10 years that the event has been conducted in person. This year, App State teams took second and fourth place in the male full marathon event and fielded an inspired female team that finished strong. App’s male half-marathon team also secured second in that competition, and the female team competed well. The Professor of Military Science, LTC Jones, won the individual full marathon race. Fire on the Mountain!
The teams march in Honor of the Program’s Fallen, including Cadet Hasbrouck, an Appalachian State ROTC Cadet who passed away during the Mountain Man Memorial March on April 21st, 2012. Cadet Hasbrouck's mother, Patricia Hasbrouck, has made an appearance each year to support App State in her son's remembrance. The Cadets were able to meet with Ms. Hasbrouck before (pictured below) and after the race.
2nd Place Finish -Male Full Team Bravo – Cadets Nevejas, Hutchinson, Flay, Eblen, Quinlan:
4th Place Finish -Male Full Team Alpha- Cadets Church, Lanier, Nisbett, Cannon, Myer:
Female Full Team- Cadets Flannagan (Robinson), Wilkerson, Jansen, Thompson, Duggin:
2nd Place Finish Male Half Team- Cadets Gouge, Brady C, Brady B, Benedict, Laney,
Female Half Team Cadets Smith B. , Robinson, Avilla, Feuntes, Williams
Several App ROTC Cadets individually challenged themselves, including Cadets Wahba and Allred, who did the full heavy course:
Several other App Cadets and family members were in attendance --running a water point, resupplying the teams, or just cheering App ROTC on!
flag at MMMM
flag at MMM